The Senate Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee learned about the unique stresses and mental health challenges facing agricultural producers and how WSU is responding, during a work session on Monday morning.
Farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural professionals often adopt a hardened mentality associated with the industry’s long hours, rigorous work, and isolated nature. Maddy VanderKooy, the WSU program coordinator for the Western Region Agriculture Stress Assistance Program or WRASAP, presented before the committee and shared that mental health resources are highly stigmatized and access to services are limited in rural communities.
But the need for services is evident. VanderKooy, a third-generation farmer and WSU graduate now pursuing a master’s degree in counseling, reported alarming numbers to the committee that detailed high suicide mortality rates in isolated communities and in the agricultural industry.
WRASAP is actively working to dispel the stigma of mental health and the sense of isolation by providing practical resources to support those in the industry. One series of events that VanderKooy shared was Pizza with Producers, where those in the agricultural community are invited to come face-to-face, share a meal and talk about their experiences in casual settings.
Other available resources include a voucher program for free counseling services from a licensed psychologist at WSU who has a background in farming and access to no-cost financial consulting from a WSU agricultural economist.
If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, please seek professional help. Those in need of support can dial 988 or 1-800-327-624 for the Farm Aid hotline.