FARMER AND FARM WORKER EMOTIONAL AND MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES AVAILABLE

Agriculture is often touted as one of the most dangerous occupations rife with incidents involving equipment, long hours, and physical exertion. Unfortunately, the impact of emotional stress among farmers and farm workers is largely under the radar due to the negative stigma associated with any sort of emotional or mental health issue. All too often, emotional and mental health issues are associated with a perception of weakness, and a fear of unfavorable judgements. Yet it is important to realize that farmer and farm worker emotional stress is real and debilitating and is associated with a suicide rate that is much higher than most other occupations. It stands to reason that farmers and farm workers are more at risk for emotional and mental health issues due to long unpredictable hours of work in variable environmental conditions that may be uncomfortably hot or cold, the unpredictability of crop challenges from season to season, and especially the financial pressures and economic risk associated with farming.

There is good news, support for emotional and mental health is available and is curtailed to the needs of farmers and farm workers. Stress management tips and free counseling is available through Washington State University: Suicide Prevention | Skagit County | Washington State University.  Other resources are available here:  Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Program.