Wisconsin Farmer and Farmworker Suicide Study

UW-Madison and the National Farm Medicine Center recently published a research article summarizing Wisconsin data on farmers and farmworkers who died by suicide in 2017 and 2018.

During the two-year timeframe, 44 farm-related suicides were identified, a rate of 14.3 per 100,000 farmers and farmworkers. The annual rate in 2017 was 19.5 per 100,000. The rate of fatalities due to farm workplace injuries and other unintentional events is consistently in the lower 20s per 100,000, higher than in other industries. The proximity of these two death rates is particularly concerning.

Wisconsin farm-related death by suicide rates are not out of the ordinary compared to other major agricultural areas in the U.S. However, the 2017 rate was considerably higher than the general population (19.5 versus 14.0, meaning farm suicide rates were 39% higher than the general population).

As we would expect, the analysis indicated that depression and anxiety were likely contributing factors. However, the risk factors that lead to a suicide event are often not reported in available data sources. The fact that nearly one-third of these 44 events cited depression and/or anxiety is significant, though not surprising.

The full article contains much more information, including information about ages and methods. You can access the full article at: https://www.mdpi.com/2313-576X/7/3/51/htm

Featured Resource

24/7 Farmer Wellness Helpline
(1-888-901-2558)

This month, we are sharing just one very important resource.

If a farmer you know is exhibiting symptoms of depression or anxiety or having suicidal thoughts, the 24/7 Farmer Wellness Helpline can provide free, confidential, and immediate support any day at any time. Encourage them to call 1-888-901-2558.

Social Media Feature

Back-to-School Time!

Our social media feature for August is about Back-to-School time. It will be pinned at the top of the Resilient Farms & Families Facebook Page until our September post is up. Please take a minute to share on your Facebook page!

Farmers and farm families not only deal with the stress of their work but also the stress of day-to-day life! Back-to-school time can be one of those times. Here are some ideas on how to help. (from Coping with Back-to-School Anxiety - UF/IFAS Extension (ufl.edu))

Featured Event

safeTalk

Farm Well Wisconsin, in collaboration with the Behavioral Health Partnership, offers community workshops to help community members learn the skills they need to support family members, friends, and acquaintances when they are under stress or struggling with mental health challenges.

One of the community workshops Farm Well currently offers is safeTALK. safeTALK is an evidence-based community program for anyone who wants to be more comfortable providing support to people who may be struggling with thoughts of suicide. At a LivingWorks safeTALK workshop, you’ll learn how to prevent suicide by asking someone about their thoughts of suicide; gain skills in engaged, nonjudgmental listening; and learn how to help the person keep safe by connecting them to an intervention resource for further support.

The training is being offered in the Southwestern part of the state. See the partnership’s event page for details about all of the upcoming workshops sponsored by Farm Well Wi and the BHP.

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