Utah Farmers Signed Up for Federally Funded Therapy. Then the Money Stopped.

This news article was created for the ProPublica’s Local Reporting Network in collaboration with The Salt Lake Tribune. If you want to receive stories like this when they are published, subscribe to Dispatches.

Key points from the report:
– U.S. farmers face a high suicide rate, with Utah farmers ranking third in suicide rates by vocation in the state.
– A successful federal program offering free therapy to Utah farmers ran out of funds in four months, and lawmakers have decided not to continue funding it.
– Farmers encounter unique stressors such as market price fluctuations, weather uncertainties, and the expectation to manage mental health issues independently.

Josh Dallin, the executive director of an agriculture center at Utah State University Extension, observed distress among farmers and ranchers in Utah. With Congress allocating funds in 2023, Dallin offered $2,000 vouchers for free therapy to those in agriculture. The program saw overwhelming demand, exhausting the funds in four months. Despite the program’s success, Utah has not committed to further funding.

State Senator Scott Sandall criticized the federal program’s lack of ongoing funding, suggesting it was destined to fail without sustained support. While Gov. Spencer Cox has previously advocated for better mental health resources for farmers, Utah has not pursued continued funding for farmer mental health.

Farmers in the U.S. are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, with Utah’s suicide rate consistently ranking among the nation’s highest. Farmers face various challenges like market uncertainties, weather conditions, and societal norms expecting them to handle stress independently.

The article highlights the need for mental health support for farmers, particularly in rural areas with limited access to therapists. Efforts to address mental health challenges among farmers include free therapy programs and suicide prevention initiatives tailored to the farming community.