A farmer and an agriculture professional, applaud legislation that would designate May 29th as a “Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day”, but say families need help, too.
Jeff Ditzenberger is a former farmer who attempted suicide nearly thirty years ago, and founded TUGS, a nonprofit organization to help people suffering from depression and anxiety. He tells Brownfield Ag News that the bill by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) is a start. “I think it’s great that the Senators are doing this. I think it’s wonderful that we’re bringing some light to the darkness that’s out there, but this is a real thing. I mean, the three highest suicide rates right now are veterinarians, farmers, and veterans.” Ditzenberger says designating one day is, “about 364 days too few.”
Wisconsin farmer Doug Rebout has a special needs daughter, and says families dealing with mental health issues need both awareness and support. “I applaud them for doing it, but I would also like to see money put into programs to help, so we can make more people available to assist farmers and people in agriculture -- someone they can go and talk to. That’s where the shortfall is.”
Ditzenberger says he’d like to see an addition to the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number 9-8-8. “You know, one of the reasons that we came up with the idea of having the designated line for a veteran to dial 9-8-8 and then press 1 is because they talk to somebody who speaks their language. Agriculture is its own language in itself, and it just kind of concerns me that we’re still not doing enough.”
U.S. Senate Resolution 727 to make May 29th Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day has more than twenty bipartisan cosponsors, but the bill only made the designation for 2026 and has no mental health assistance programs or funding attached.
EDITOR’S TAKE:
Point well taken! It is one thing to finally recognize the problem but providing the right resources to address it at the state and local level is critical. Farmers/ranchers are often very stoic and not prone to discussing their feelings and emotions, especially with those close to them. The stigma of not being able to handle problems they face by themselves, often becomes overwhelming. Add to that the difficult financial situation some are currently facing, and the problems seem even more insurmountable. Farmers/ranchers should have access to professional counseling, whether through a hotline or in person, someone they can trust and who can help reestablish hope and the promise of better days ahead. If you know of a farmer/rancher in your area who needs help, please encourage them to seek assistance before it is too late. Also, use your influence in the community to ensure the proper resources are available. Remember, these are your friends, neighbors and customers!
