Sen. Roger Marshall hosted a news conference on Thursday for Mental Health Awareness Week, where he specifically addressed the issue of farmer and rancher suicide across the country.

“We lose a farmer every day to suicide. We lose more farmers to suicide than we do from farm accidents,” he said.

“I’m a fifth-generation farm kid,” the senator continued. He grew up learning about farm safety, “but we were never taught anything about mental health.”

He continued, “What we’re seeing today is a record drop in net farm income. Because of the policies of the previous White House, our input costs went up exponentially – think about the price of diesel and fertilizer, but especially interest rates. ... That just ate up all their profits.”

The big burden many Kansas farmers feel is that of being a fifth- or sixth-generation farm family member who might lose it.

“There are resources out there to help prevent this,” Marshall said.

Marshall cited the documentary “Out of the Shadows,” which shines light on rural America’s mental health crisis. 

He was interviewed for the project as an outspoken advocate for providing mental health resources to under-served rural communities. The documentary can be viewed online at outoftheshadows.com.

The creators of this documentary note:

• 1 in 5 adults in rural America reported having a mental illness in 2023.

• 4.8% of adults in rural America reported having serious thoughts of suicide.

• Farmers are much more likely (3.5 times) to die by suicide than the general population.

• The suicide rate has increased 46% in rural America in the last 20 years.

Other resources

The North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center’s mission is “helping Midwestern farmers and ranchers find the resources and support to thrive.”

Funded by a USDA Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network grant, North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center is composed of lead agencies representing 12 states, including Kansas. According to its website, farmstress.org, “We want to make sure that you, your family, and the people you work with have access to the resources needed, when they are needed. We believe in working together to cultivate rural supports, mental health resources, and community to help farmers, ranchers, and other agriculture workers as they navigate increasing stress.”

Another helpful website is the Kansas Ag Stress Resources page, kansasagstress.org. For free, 24/7 support, the Regional Concern Hotline is 800-447-1985.

“Resources compiled on this website can help care for and assist Kansas farmers and ranchers in their well-being. You’ll find help with stress management, financial and legal challenges, and many other needs. As more tools are developed, this website will be updated and serve as a hub of current information and resources.”

For assistance call or text 988 or a local Community Mental Health Center. Barton, Pawnee, Rice and Stafford counties are served by The Center for Counseling and Consultation in Great Bend. Call 620-792-2544 or visit the website, thecentergb.org.