Katie Glanville, APNP, PMHNP-BC, Southwest Health Behavioral Services

Mental health among farmers is a growing topic of concern.

Suicide rates among farmers in the United States is higher than the general public. Suicide rates involving farmers is estimated to be 3 times higher than the national average. According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, in 2022, Wisconsin’s overall suicide rate was 15.2 per 100,000 people. The rural Wisconsin suicide rate was 18.8 per 100,000 people, and farmers were disproportionately impacted, especially men ages 25 and older.

What puts farmers at such a high risk? There is no one simple answer. Farming is a unique profession that depends on so much outside of a farmer’s control. In farming, nothing is predictable, the weather, the markets, animal health, crop yields, reliable help, income, literally nothing is a guarantee. Additionally, many farms are passed down from generation to generation putting a great deal of stress on the current owners to continue their family’s legacy while facing difficult decisions such as whether or not to take on additional financial risks to grow and modernize to try to “keep up” in an ever-changing economy.

Most farmers take pride in their independent and self-reliant way of life. While these qualities are their strength, they, at times, can also be their weakness.

Asking for help and feeling they need to be reliant on others can be extremely difficult for farmers and can make them reluctant to seek out healthcare for physical and/or mental health needs. Time, cost of healthcare, and distance from resources are other significant barriers to seeking help.
How can we help to decrease suicidal risks for farmers and improve their mental health? In short, stay aware and take the time to know more!

If a farmer (or anyone) asks for help, know that it took them a great deal to overcome their reluctance to ask for help

• Are there changes in the way the person is caring (or not caring) for themselves or their farm?
• Is the person isolating themselves more from family and friends?
• Is there a change in mood? Substance use and/or increase in use?
• Are they giving away possessions, calling to say goodbye, or making statements that others would be better off without them?

If you notice any of these, take the time to ask the person how they are doing and listen! Don’t ignore the signs or wait for someone else to step in!

There are free and readily available resources for people that can help:

1. National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988. This resource is available 24/7
2. Farmer Wellness Program through the WI Department of Ag, Trade, and Consumer Protection:
   1. Farmer Wellness Helpline: 1-800-901-2558  Offers 24/7 support for farmers who are struggling with depression, anxiety, and/or suicidal thoughts
   1. Tele-Counseling: 1-888-901-2558 -free, confidential counseling sessions with a licensed mental health professional
   1. Counseling Vouchers: 1-800-942-2474 -provides vouches for free in-person counseling services from participating mental health providers
   1. Wisconsin Farm Center: 1-800-942-2474 – offers financial counseling, transition planning, mediation & arbitration, veteran farmer assistance & outreach, and herd-based diagnostics programs
3. Covering Wisconsin: connects Wisconsin residents with health insurance coverage and other health programs
4. Harvest of Hope: 1-608-836-1455 -assists farm families to apply for financial assistance to pay for utilities that may be shut off and other bills
5. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): 1-800-662-4357 – Offers free 24/7 and confidential treatment referral and information services for those facing mental and or substance use disorder

Another available resource is Southwest Health’s Behavioral Services (SBS). This department provides outpatient care to the community, with providers currently accepting new patients.

One provider that has a special interest in rural healthcare and the mental well-being of the farming community is Katie Glanville, APNP, PMHNP-BC. She is a psychiatric nurse with over 15 years in healthcare. Katie understands the importance of connecting with patients to improve their mental health and overall being. She enjoys seeing patients six years and older of all backgrounds. As a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, Katie sees the significant role and need of having quality rural healthcare close to home, especially mental health services. Growing up on a farm herself, Katie has a special connection to the trials and challenges that farmers and their families face.

To schedule an appointment with Katie or any of the available Psychiatry and Psychotherapy providers at Southwest Health Behavioral Services, call 608.348.3656.