June is Men's Mental Health Month and a statewide effort is underway to bring awareness to the mental health challenges of those in agriculture.
Tony Kirkman, Executive Director of the Piatt County Mental Health Center explains the Illinois Farm Bureau is taking steps to promote stress management and lower the suicide rates of people in the ag field.
The lack of control over variables that greatly affect farming has put agriculture among the industries with the highest suicide rates. It's also common for farmers to feel as if they cannot discuss their struggles with anyone, due to possible personal or business-related repercussions.
According to 2021 data from the CDC, 47.9 males in agriculture per 100,000 commit suicide compared to the average of 32 per 100,000. Learn more about the mental health services offered by the Piatt County Mental Health Center by visiting piattmhc.org.
