Mental Health and suicide prevention for farmers and ranchers

Missouri’s rural counties lack mental health services despite growing financial stress and suicide rates. All of Missouri’s 99 rural counties face a shortage of mental health professionals; 57 of them have none. University of Missouri Extension hopes to change that through a multistate project to help farmers, ranchers, and farm families find affordable help close to home. MU is part of a $28.7 million, three-year grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture through the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.

The Network supports projects that provide stress assistance and suicide prevention services for farmers, ranchers, and others in agricultural occupations, says MU Extension health and safety specialist Karen Funkenbusch. Suicide rates among rural Missourians rose by 78% between 2003 and 2017, Funkenbusch says. Hospital emergency departments reported a 177% increase in visits for suicide attempts or suicidal ideation in the past decade. As part of the project, MU Extension faculty will train to become certified instructors in Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), and Taking Care of You. They will provide information to farmers through online and printed resources and social media. They also will hold workshops geared toward farmers and ranchers. The goal is to reach 800 farmers by the end of 2021. Through the efforts of multiple partners, FRSAN will hold workshops and offer online psychology services through 2023.