NEW ORLEANS, LA – Suicide is the tenth leading cause of death for Americans and farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population. Largely attributed to financial stress, physical isolation, and lack of access to sufficient resources, this silent epidemic could grow even worse as the ag economy continues to struggle. USA Rice is proud to be partnering with AgriSafe Network to bring important programming on this topic to the 2025 USA Rice Outlook Conference.
The session, “Mental Wellbeing for Rural Communities,” is scheduled for Monday, December 8, on the FMC Stage and will feature credentialed AgriSafe Network staff, including Tara Haskins, total farmer health director; Olivia Bury, behavioral health coordinator; and CEO Natalie Roy.
“The foundation of our presentation is an approach we call QPR for Agricultural Communities,” said Roy, who grew up on a farm in New Hampshire and lives in St. Tammany Parish. “QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer and it looks through an agricultural lens to teach laypeople and professionals to recognize and respond to a mental health crisis.”
“I’m happy the AgriSafe team will be presenting and exhibiting at Outlook,” said Fred Zaunbrecher, Louisiana grower and chair of USA Rice Farmers. “USA Rice has been working for years to reduce the stigma around mental health issues and raise awareness of resources. It’s extremely important to continue that work. It’s okay to be not okay and it’s okay to ask for help. And really, we all have a responsibility to look out for each other. Now more than ever. This is going to be a vital session.”
This Outlook session is being generously sponsored by Farmer's Crop Insurance and First South Farm Credit.
The
AgriSafe Network has a large library of resources online at
www.agrisafe.org and runs the AgriStress Helpline in 11 states, including Missouri and Texas. Available by voice or text 24/7 at (833) 897-2474 with ag-trained, credentialed counselors providing help in 160 languages.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call or text 988 or visit
988lifeline.org.