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Stories from the Field: Reducing Farm Stress Through Community and Conversation

Agricultural Economics & Community Development

Klae O'Brien
Extension Educator
University of Idaho
Nezperce

Abstract

Farmers and ranchers experience suicide rates nearly twice that of the general population, making mental health outreach a critical issue in agricultural communities. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate in Idaho is 23.3 per 100,000, which is among the highest in the nation. Within the agricultural industry, the suicide rate rises to 50 per 100,000. Two major barriers prevent individuals from seeking help: the stigma surrounding mental in agriculture and limited access to professional help in rural communities. To address these challenges, the University of Idaho Farm Stress Management Team implemented a community-drive outreach initiative focused on reducing stigma and increasing awareness of available resources. Seventeen rural communities participated in focus groups to identify needs and priorities. Each community received small grants to support locally designed events and outreach efforts aimed at strengthening community connectedness, increasing awareness of mental health resources, supporting youth, and encouraging open conversations about stress and wellbeing. The project also partners with the Idaho Farm Bureau Federation to develop short films featuring farmers and ranchers and their experiences with farm s stress and mental health; utilizing peer storytelling to normalize conversations about stress and seeking help. The videos have been widely shared and viewed more than 100,000 times. Additional outreach efforts include stress awareness training focused on recognizing early signs of chronic stress, a twice-monthly podcast highlighting farmer and rancher experiences, and collaborations with agricultural and mental health partners across the state. Program evaluations indicate increased awareness of farm stress, reduced stigma surrounding discussions of mental health, and greater willingness to seek help and support others.

Authors: Klae O'Brien, David Callister, Selena Davila, Bracken Henderson, Lance Hansen, Tasha Howard, Kathee Tifft
  1. Klae O'Brien Extension Educator, University of Idaho Extension, Idaho, 83543
  2. David Callister Extension Educator, University of Idaho Extension, Idaho, 83213
  3. Selena Davila Extension Educator, University of Idaho Extension, Idaho, 83352
  4. Bracken Henderson Extension Educator, University of Idaho Extension, Idaho, 83263
  5. Lance Hansen Extension Educator, University of Idaho Extension, Idaho, 83440
  6. Tasha Howard Extension Educator, University of Idaho Extension, Idaho, 83605
  7. Kathee Tifft Extension Educator, University of Idaho Extension, Idaho, 83501