Lackawanna County issued the following announcement on Sept. 24.
Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and Department of Human Services Dr. Perri Rosen joined by industry and healthcare representatives afternoon for an open conversation about decreasing stigma surrounding mental health in agriculture.
The discussion livestreamed on Facebook at 1:00 PM. “Agriculture is more than a job, it’s a lifestyle led by proud Pennsylvanians,” said Redding. “But farmers are not exempt from the burdens of life. The stresses we all face as we maneuver living through a pandemic are compounded by uncertain markets, droughts and extreme weather and often pressures of running a generations-old farm. “It’s as simple as reaching out to our neighbors and having honest conversations about mental health,” added Redding.
“These small actions can help to break the stigma surrounding mental health in agriculture and build a stronger, healthier agriculture community in Pennsylvania.” According to a January study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, farmers are among the most likely to die by suicide compared to other occupations. The study also found that suicide rates overall had increased by 40 percent.
Time demands, financial issues, fear of losing the farm (and therefore a home), and the uncertainty of both weather and the economy all contribute to the mental health strain on farmers. “Mental health is integral to good physical health and our overall quality of life, but unfortunately, it can still be challenging for people to talk about openly. This can make people feel isolated and create barriers to meaningful connection and support from those who care about us,” said Human Services Secretary Teresa Miller. “We must all work to build empathetic, supportive communities where people know that they will be heard and validated. Mental health affects all of us, and by recognizing this, checking in on each other, and offering to help, we can make sure people know that they never have to feel alone.”
Secretary Redding encourages farmers to start conversations in their communities and watch for signs of distress, including:
Decline in care of crops, animals, and farm
Deterioration of personal appearance
Withdrawing from social events
Increase in farm accidents
Change in routine
Increased physical complaints
Increase in alcohol use
Giving away prized possessions
Original source can be found here.
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