The Silent Crisis: Mental Health in Agriculture
The Silent Crisis: Mental Health Struggles in Farming and Ranching
Authored by: Laney Jones
Being in the agricultural industry is demanding and stressful for individuals, businesses, and families. Farmers and ranchers work year-round to provide food and byproducts essential to daily life in the U.S. For those in this field, especially farming and ranching, it is more than just a business—it is their entire world, their way of life, the way they choose to raise their children, and a source of friendships, family ties, and livelihoods.
The agricultural industry is fraught with difficulties and risks, heavily influenced by uncontrollable factors like weather. Consequently, negative events profoundly impact the mental health of farmers and ranchers, affecting more than just their business. Stress and depression can significantly hinder their operations. According to the Rural Health Information Hub, in 2016, the male suicide rate among farmers and ranchers was 43.2 per 100,000 people (about the seating capacity of the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum), compared to 27.4 per 100,000 among working-age male adults in all occupations. This alarming statistic is growing and poses a genuine problem for everyone involved in agriculture.
If the stress of running a farm or ranch is overwhelming even for the operators, how can anyone else manage the hardships of agriculture?
Photo by: Matthias Zomer
Farm and Ranch Stressors
In any given year, countless factors can negatively impact a farm or ranch, including market fluctuations, weather extremes, injuries, sickness, diseases, and insect infestations. The list of potential threats is long and varied. When such events occur, the consequences can be devastating for both the operation and the people who run it.
Farmers and ranchers face constant uncertainty. They cannot predict if a severe storm will strike during calving season or while their crops are maturing. They live with the fear that grasshoppers might decimate their pastures or hay fields, or that market prices could plummet unexpectedly. This ever-present unpredictability adds a tremendous amount of stress to their already challenging work.
Thankfully, support is available through organizations like Farm Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides free assistance to farm and ranch families who have experienced a major injury, illness, or natural disaster. This support can be a lifeline for those struggling to cope with the overwhelming challenges of agricultural life.
Some other examples of farm stressors include:
Agricultural Markets
Debt and Finances
Weather
Family Identity
Long Work Hours or Fatigue
Interpersonal Issues
Agricultural Markets
The agricultural economy can be highly volatile for those who have dedicated their entire lives to farming and ranching. One year, cattle prices might be high, while crop prices are exceptionally low, and the next year, the situation could be completely reversed. Some product prices, known as commodity crops—including cotton, milk, wheat, corn, soybeans, and rice—are regulated by the government. These commodity prices are notoriously unpredictable, making it challenging for farmers and ranchers to plan effectively.
Commodity prices fluctuate based on global supply, demand, trade patterns, and other large-scale economic trends. This volatility leads to inconsistent and unpredictable year-to-year income for both the business and the family, adding another layer of stress to an already demanding industry.
Debts and Finances
Farm or ranch finances are often tightly interwoven with family finances, sometimes becoming indistinguishable. Agriculture typically requires substantial debt to purchase land, machinery, livestock, and to cover annual operating costs through operating loans. These loans are essential for buying yearly necessities like pesticides, vaccines, and feed.
In addition to managing this revolving line of credit, farmers and ranchers must also contend with unexpected expenses from machinery breakdowns, sick animals, and adverse weather conditions. According to the Economic Research Service (ERS), "the debt-to-asset ratio for American farms has risen in recent years and is projected to continue to rise. As the debt-to-asset ratio rises, more farms are likely to go bankrupt." This increasing financial strain highlights the precarious nature of agricultural economics and its profound impact on farm and family stability.
Photo by: Karolina Grabowska
Weather
Weather events such as droughts, floods, unexpected freezes, hail, and high winds can easily destroy crops, injure, or kill livestock, or damage stored products waiting to be sold. During extreme weather events like tornadoes, even the family’s home or equipment can be damaged, as operators often have little time to mitigate the storm's effects.
An NPR article highlights the "historic flooding in March 2019 that hit Nebraska and Iowa," which caused over $1 billion (about $3 per person in the US) in damages to infrastructure, crops, and cattle losses. These catastrophic events can lead to significant financial hardship for farm and ranch families, compounding the already elevated levels of stress and uncertainty in the agricultural industry.
Family and Personal Identity
Most farms and ranches are passed down from one generation to the next, often remaining in the same family for decades or longer. Over the past century, times have changed drastically, making some aspects of farming easier while complicating others. The combined stress of managing the farm and dealing with financial hardships can sometimes force families to give up their operations.
Losing or selling a family farm can be an immense burden on the current operator, especially if they feel responsible for the loss. The pride and legacy tied to a family farm are immeasurable, representing generations of blood, sweat, hardships, and cherished memories. The loss of such a significant family asset can be a devastating blow, stripping away not just a business, but a profound part of the family's history and identity.
The Big Picture
Agriculture is the backbone of the U.S. economy. Without it, we would have no food to eat, fuel to drive, or clothes to wear; survival without farmers and ranchers would be impossible. Each year, immense pressure is placed on them to produce essential goods, adding to the already significant stressors they face.
Over time, this stress can accumulate and lead to serious mental health issues for operators. Mental health is as crucial as physical health, yet within the agricultural community, there is a stigma surrounding mental health and seeking help. As we continue our "Mental Health in Agriculture" series, we will explore how to seek help and address the stigmas that prevent farmers and ranchers from obtaining the support they need. Our goal is to provide insights that benefit their unique way of life.
Stay connected with the transformative work of Vision West ND by subscribing to our monthly newsletter. Dive deep into how each initiative and project under Vision West ND’s umbrella is crafting a brighter, more resilient future for North Dakota, one priority area at a time.
Resources
Rural Health Information Hub