A strong majority of farmers say financial issues and fear of losing the farm impact mental health. That’s according to a new national survey by Morning Consult Research commissioned by the American Farm Bureau. AFBF’s Strategic Director of Communications Ray Atkinson says rural adult farmers and farm workers were surveyed to better understand the factors affecting mental health

The survey also looked at the availability of resources, perceptions of stigma, personal experiences with mental health challenges and other relevant issues. He says farmers cited a lack of control over their circumstances as a major stressor.

Atkinson says their research proves what was already known, that Rural America is hurting not just economically but emotionally. Plus, farm families ranked it high in importance.

Farm Bureau officials noted that while the rest of the economy has boomed, farmers and ranchers are in the sixth year of a widespread commodity price slump and more must be done to help them.