Highest Suicide Rates in Oregon: People Working in Agriculture or Natural Resources
In Oregon, people working in agriculture or natural resources have among the highest suicide rates in the state—rates that have been increasing for decades. Yet until recently there were few resources dedicated to alleviating the problem.
Many factors contribute to this increased risk. Weather events can ruin a crop or commodity rates can change, affecting people’s incomes. Rural areas also lack access to health care resources. Stigma about mental health can be a barrier to treatment.
“I think a lot of communities and groups in the United States feel othered,” Allison Myers, Associate Dean of Extension and Engagement at Oregon State University’s College of Health, told the Roundhouse Foundation’s Funding Rural podcast. “You add that constellation of factors together and, particularly in the ag and natural resource community, you get to a place where folks are really at risk for things like suicide.”
Support is Available for Rural Communities
Support is now available, designed specifically for the rural communities who are most vulnerable. Myers led a coalition of policymakers, industry leaders, and OSU partners to bring the AgriStress Helpline to Oregon in September 2023. Since then, AgriStress has gotten calls from 25 of Oregon’s 36 counties. Many of these calls have been from or on behalf of rural men over 49 years old, a group identified as “high risk” for suicide. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also identifies loggers, commercial fishers, farmers and ranchers as groups at drastically higher suicide risk than other occupations.
People living in rural areas have incredible resilience and that’s a strength, Myers said, “At the same time, we get tired of being resilient.”
The Helpline is Ready and Able to Take Calls
The people who answer the phone are certified in suicide prevention and resource referral. They also have additional training so that they can better understand stressors unique to the ag community. Real-time translation is available in over 160 languages, through Language Line, and call specialists will stay on the line with callers as long as needed. One of the calls, Myers remembered, lasted for a full hour.
Built for Agriculture and Natural Resources Communities
In 2023, Oregon was the seventh state to host the AgriStress Helpline, which is tailored toward agricultural workers, and the first one to house the program within the state’s Cooperative Extension service. Extension personnel live and work in each of Oregon’s 36 counties and have ties to the same communities of people AgriStress was made for.
“We want to be sure our agricultural and natural resources communities are aware that AgriStress exists, that it was built for them, and that it’s okay to ask for help,” said Myers.
When AgriStress became aware of an impending lumber mill closure, the kind of event that can devastate lives and livelihoods in a rural community, they made sure to do extra outreach in the area so displaced workers and families knew there was support available and a number to call where people would listen for as long as the caller needed. All calls are answered within thirty seconds and intervention occurs for people at imminent risk.
Researchers have studied the ripple effect of suicide in a community, noting that on average 135 people are bereaved or otherwise affected by each one loss. Each call to the AgriStress Helpline for Oregon is an antidote to loss.
The Helpline was initially funded with a modest general fund appropriation from the state. A grant from the Roundhouse Foundation provided support for marketing and outreach to get the word out about this important resource. Program materials are being distributed in English and Spanish to reach the widest group of people possible. A coalition of experts in Ag communication, suicide prevention, project management, Latino outreach, marketing, and farm stress from OSU and other agencies including Oregon Health Authority has been assembled to support the line.
“To start the helpline in Oregon is a community health educator’s dream come true,” Myers said on Funding Rural. She won’t be satisfied until suicide rates go down but for now, AgriStress is an important step in that direction.
If you or someone you know are experiencing thoughts of suicide, call or text the national suicide prevention helpline at 988. Folks in agriculture, commercial fishing or forestry who need help can call the Agristress Helpline at 833-897-2474.
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