What happens when farmers
aren't able to manage
their mental health?
Just a heads up and warning
I am going
to be discussing suicide
in this video.
I'm Steven Potter
a reporter
with PBS Wisconsin news.
With stresses
like disruptive weather
crop pricing changes
and even sick animals
the problems that farmers
face are a mixed bag
of uncontrollable
and unpredictable issues.
When these problems pile up
it can be sometimes too much
for farmers to handle.
And in an increasing
number of cases, farmers
who have struggled
with their mental health
have died by suicide.
National statistics show
that farmers and agriculture
workers are
three-and-a-half times
more likely to die
this way.
Given that severity
there are nonprofit groups
and government agencies
working to address it.
But is
what's being done enough?
And what else should
and could be done?
And what are the barriers
still preventing farmers
from seeking help
for their mental health
before it's too late?
To learn more about this
find my story about it
at pbswisconsin.org.