BY TRACY LEE TATE
Times Editor
The Union County High School FFA Chapter’s Ag Issues team gave their new presentation at the Aug.18, 2022 meeting of the Board of County Commissioners – giving everyone in attendance some food for thought.
Team members Madison Johnson, Jordan Hendricks, Perry Johnson, Abby Gainey, Hannah Sherrod, Cailynn Boggs and Maegan Beatty gave at talk on the topic of Mental Health of the American Farmer – complete with some facts that took some of the commissioners by surprise.
Last year, the UCHS Ag Issues Team took third place in the state. This year, three of the members of that team are back, while the other four members seem to be working hard to take their show on the road, back to state competition.
The students first informed the board members and others in attendance that mental health issues were a major issue, and that these issues were more common in rural communities. Of the farmers surveyed by various studies, 35% suffer from depression, 85% from anxiety and 45% report high stress levels.
Reason cited in the presentation for these mental health issues include economic uncertainty, stressful situations, isolation and weather events. The team reported that the suicide rate for farmers was nearly four times the national average. Farmers deal with trade disputes, labor shortages, worldwide pandemics, heavy workloads, farming hazards, animal diseases and equipment breaking down. If they fail, they know they can lose their homes and everything they have spent a lifetime building.
Team members reminded their audience that, without farmers, we would all likely go hungry and that it was in everyone’s best interest to help them deal with their problems.
Warning signs of mental health issues include: a decline in property (upkeep and management), a change in behavior, a change in social activity and a decrease in the care the farmer takes with his appearance.
According to the presentation, 70% of farmers with mental health issues do not get help and counseling, largely out of embarrassment in having the problem. They also cited the general lack of resources available for farmers and said it was a big responsibility to see that they get what they need,
The team must do at least 5 public presentations on their topic in order to qualify for state competition. The presentation to the board was their second time on this topic.
