From Loss to Action Part 2 with the Washington Young Farmers Coalition, Farm Aid, and the National Farmers Union

Warning: This episode deals with topics surrounding suicide, and may not be appropriate for all audiences. Suicide rates among farmers and farm workers are among the highest of any occupation in the United States (CDC data). In part two of this series on farmer mental health, we talk to members of the Washington Young Farmers Coalition about the organizing they launched in response to the loss of founding member Justin McClane in 2017. We also hear from Matt Perdue of the National Farmers Union, Joe Schroeder of Farm Aid, and journalist Debbie Weingarten, author of the pivotal Guardian piece on farmer suicide, "Why are America's farmers killing themselves?" We hope this series will contribute to the effort to break down the stigma surrounding farmer mental and behavioral health, inspire policy change, and grow support for programs addressing the farmer mental health crisis in this country. Take action today. Text "Farm Crisis" to 40649 to be connected with your Members of Congress to tell them to fully fund the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN). If you are in crisis, please call the National Suicide Hotline at (800) 273-TALK (8255). You can also speak with someone directly at the Farm Aid Hotline at (800) FARM-AID (327-6243). For further resources, please visit: Policy Victories for Family Famers from Farm Aid: https://www.youngfarmers.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Farm-Advocacy-Policy-Changes-List.pdf Joe Schroeder at Farm Aid: https://www.farmaid.org/author/joeschroeder/ https://farmcrisis.nfu.org/. https://www.facebook.com/wayoungfarmers/photos/a.243951272306662/1374009989300779/?type=3 http://www.washingtonyoungfarmers.org/political/hb-2671/ http://www.seattleweekly.com/news/sowing-the-seeds-of-mental-health/ https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/dec/06/why-are-americas-farmers-killing-themselves-in-record-numbers Recorded at Radio Kingston and edited by Hannah Beal.