Hope on the Horizon

HOPE on the HORIZON FARMERS FACING CRISIS NEED SUPPORT NOW MORE THAN EVER

By Jessica Mozo

FARMERS COME FROM STRONG STOCK – they rise them to reach out to Florida before daylight, work around the clock and rarely take farm workers and identify issues a vacation. There are cows to milk, seeds to plant, fields to plow, bills to pay and equipment to repair. It can be impacting their mental well-being. “We don’t have a lot of statistics specific to Florida yet – this is work a struggle just to keep a farm afloat. we still have to do,” Radunovich

“Farming is very important “They are such hard workers, but mental health has been international work, and it’s a 24/7 job,” says sometimes they push through to or in the Midwest, where they have Heidi Liss Radunovich, a licensed get the job done even when they’re some different issues than we do.” psychologist and associate professor suffering from chronic or emotional Florida farmers are vulnerable at the University of Florida. “Farmers can’t go on vacation and leave their pain. They can’t rest like people in other occupations.” to natural disasters, for starters. According to a March 2020 study work behind. They pride themselves FARMERS IN CRISIS by the Southeastern Coastal Center on being very strong – on being able Radunovich is collaborating with for Agricultural Health and Safety, to push through and get it done.” a group called AgriSafe to improve Florida’s agricultural industry

It’s no wonder farmers across the mental health of Florida’s experienced an estimated $1.3 billion America struggle with mental health agriculture workers. The group in losses due to Hurricane Irma and issues such as anxiety, depression secured a Department of Agriculture another $1.4 billion in losses from and even suicide. The mental health grant in October 2019 that will allow Hurricane Michael from 2017 to 2018. of farmers wasn’t looked at closely until recent years, when agriculture workers began taking their own lives Need help? Talk to your doctor about options for counseling and/or in increasingly higher numbers. A medication. If someone you know is struggling, stop and ask how they are January 2020 study by the Centers doing. Listen without judgment – their emotions are real. Ask if they have for Disease Control and Prevention thought about talking to a mental health professional. Ask if they have contemplated suicide. If so, offer to call the Suicide Prevention Lifeline found that out of all occupations, with them or accompany them to the local emergency room. Call one farmers are among the most likely of the numbers below for help: to die by suicide. Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255)

“Farmer mental health has come Disaster Distress Helpline 800-985-5990 up as a big issue, and finding solutions For more resources, visit floridafarmbureau.org/mental-health-resources. is a tall order,” Radunovich says. says. “Most research on farmer

“Hurricane damage causes economic stress across the agriculture industry,” Radunovich says. “Citrus greening has caused huge devastation in our citrus industry. Florida has dealt with challenges to policies dealing with migrant workers that affect farmers’ ability to get enough workers, and algal bloom has caused water issues.”

Increased regulations on imports and exports along with trade tensions have made it tougher for American farmers to sell, and key commodity prices have fallen by about 50% since 2012. Economic losses have also hit hard due to COVID-19. Farmers who provide food to hotels, restaurants and schools that closed were suddenly scrambling to find buyers. Many farmers are also burdened with large amounts of debt. The threat of losing their farm is so distressing, it’s more than some farmers can bear.

OBSTACLES TO SEEKING HELP

When it comes to treatment, living in a rural area puts agriculture workers at a disadvantage. It’s harder to access therapists, and although online therapy has advanced, some rural areas still lack high-speed internet access. What’s more, the stigma of depression being seen as a weakness has made some farmers ashamed to seek help. The good news is depression is highly treatable with therapy and medication.

“It’s helpful to not focus on having a mental health problem, but instead to focus on wellness and resilience,” Radunovich says. “Think about ways you can strengthen yourself.”

Other obstacles include lacking insurance and transportation.

“The expense of insurance can be really prohibitive, and if you’re working long hours, it can be hard to get away to the doctor or therapist, especially if they are far away,” Radunovich says.

AgriSafe is creating a crisis hotline specific to farmers to help them connect with local resources because national hotlines aren’t always able to help locally.

“We’re hearing a lot about farmer suicide related particularly to financial stress – the incredible distress that comes with financial loss,” Radunovich says. “Losing your farm weighs very heavily on people.”

One bright spot is that farmers have ample opportunities to dwell in nature, which can have a calming effect on the mind.

“There are benefits to living in rural areas – you don’t have city stressors like crowds and traffic,” Radunovich says. “Research supports the value of living among trees and nature. It can really help your mental health.”