The Seeding Rural Resilience Act, part of the National Defense Authorization Act has passed the Senate. The measure Co-sponsored by Senators Chuck Grassley of Iowa and Jon Tester of Montana improves mental health care in rural America and is intended to curb rising suicide rates among farmers. A companion measure has already passed the House. South Dakota Farm Bureau President Scott VanderWal says Farm Bureau has been advocating for that help for some time.

The legislation includes a provision implementing voluntary stress management training for employees with the Farm Service and Risk Management Agencies and Natural Resources Conservation Service. VanderWal says that should help those workers recognize stress in the farmers and ranchers that they work with.

The bill also directs the Ag Secretary to work with state, local and governmental stakeholders to determine the best practices for responding to farm and ranch mental stress. VanderWal says that’s important because producers don’t often admit they’re under stress or depressed.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the suicide rate is 45 percent higher in Rural American than in Urban areas.