Iowa Senator Joni Ernst is among a group of bipartisan Senators who have introduced legislation to provide more federal money for mental health services to rural residents. Ernst says a 2016 study by the C-D-C found ag workers have a higher suicide rate than any other occupation. She says the bill would establish helplines, provide suicide prevention training for farm advocates, create support groups, and reestablish the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network
Ernst says they are hoping for collaboration at all levels to give farmers more options for help.
The bill is called the Facilitating Accessible Resources for Mental Health and Encouraging Rural Solutions For Immediate Response to Stressful Times or “FARMERS FIRST” Act.
