Senator Baldwin Pushing for Increased Funding for Rural Mental Health Resources

Monday, June 5th, 2023 -- 9:00 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is pushing for bipartisan legislation to increase funding for rural mental health resources.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, the Farmers First Act of 2023 would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network funding, boosting it from $10 million to $15 million for the next five years. Those funds would be distributed to organizations across the country.

“I think as farmers are part of our farming culture, we really feel like we should take care of everybody,” said Karen Endres, a farmer and part of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture. “They don’t have access to as many resources, and it is really critical that we educate and bring these tools out to them.”

Endres, the farmer wellness program coordinator for the state’s agriculture department, says getting the at-risk community, that is farmers and ranchers, more help is exposure to more tools and resources.

According to the National Rural Health Association, the suicide rate for farmers is three and a half times higher than for the general public. A study from the association found 61% of farmers and ranchers reported stress and mental health challenges in 2021.

“It’s really important as they are more isolated in those parts of the state that we really educate them and try to help them understand why mental health is important, what it is, and provide them with resources and links so that they can get help if they need it,” said Endres.

She says the funding the bill plans to increase to FRSAN helps fund Wisconsin organizations like the Farmer Wellness Program.

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