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Citation |
Franzen-Castle L, Krehbiel M, Elsen K, Chasek C, Schwarz C. J. Fam. Consum. Sci. 2022; 114(1): 34-37. |
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Copyright |
(Copyright © 2022, American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences) |
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DOI |
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PMID |
unavailable |
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Abstract |
The mental health and well-being of rural communities in the United States is a growing and serious concern. Generally, suicide rates are higher and increase more rapidly in rural areas than in urban areas (Ringgenberg et al., 2017; Steelesmith et al., 2019). Studies suggest that isolation, limited socioeconomic opportunity, and sparse access to mental health care may contribute to higher suicide rates (Braun, 2019; Case & Deaton, 2015; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2018; Hirsch & Cukrowicz, 2014; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Service Administration [SAMHSA], 2020a, 2020b). In a 2019 national sample of rural adults, 75% of respondents said it was important to reduce stigma regarding mental health in the agriculture community, and 45% reported personally experiencing more mental health challenges than they did 1 year ago (American Farm Bureau Federation [AFBF], 2019). According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, overall U.S. net cash farm income decreased 12% from 2008 to 2018; for Nebraska it decreased more than 30% (Lyons & Litkowski, 2019). Nebraska Extension, based in a rural county, observed a need to help those who might be experiencing stress, anxiety, or a feeling of being overwhelmed, which led to development of a task force on stress and mental health. The purpose of this paper is to describe this rural community's response to increasing awareness of, and support for, mental health and well-being. Language: en |
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Keywords |
Agency Cooperation; Barriers; Community Programs; Consciousness Raising; Extension Education; Knowledge Level; Mental Health; Program Effectiveness; Rural Areas; Social Bias; Well Being |