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Farm Bureau commissions new rural mental health poll

A new poll helps show the scope of rural mental health issues tied to the down ag economy.

Sponsored by American Farm Bureau, Morning Consult surveyed rural adults, farmers and farm workers to better understand factors affecting their mental health.

More than 90 percent of respondents said financial issues are causing problems, and almost 90 percent say they fear losing their farm. 

Ted Matthews, director of rural mental health in Minnesota, tells Brownfield stress levels are incredibly high.

“There’s a lot of good reasons for that. The prices are really down, but they’ve been down. And that wears on a person. It’s like they’re down today, next week, next month.”

The survey also revealed farmers and farm workers are less likely than rural adults in general to be confident they would recognize warning signs of a mental health condition.

Farm Bureau is calling on Congress to fund $10 million dollars for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, the level authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill.