Agriculture can be stressful, but you are not alone.
Agriculture is an occupation full of potential stressors like weather, changing economic markets, animal health and machinery breakdowns. When these start to compound, many farmers experience excessive amounts of stress, making it hard to remain positive and move forward through the hard times.
Due in part to the stresses that are faced, agricultural workers have high rates of suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing excessive stress or thoughts of suicide, please reach out to a confidential crisis support line.
OSU and the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network is not a crisis center. If you are in need of immediate assistance, reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-8255 or the AgriStress Helpline at 833-897-2474.
AgriStress Helpline for Oregon
AgriStress HelpLine is a free 24-hour, 7-days-a-week hotline designed for the agricultural community and their families in Oregon.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 833-897-2474.
Need Support Now?
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available.
Call or Text 988
or Chat 988lifeline.org
There are several signs or symptoms to look for when stress has begun to take an effect on you or someone you know:
- Thoughts of hurting oneself
- Care of livestock declines
- Increase in agriculture-related accidents
- Appearance of farmstead declines
- Children show signs of stress
- Lack of energy/motivation to do usual tasks
- Loss of interest in favorite activities
- Alcohol and/or substance abuse/addiction
- Withdrawal from others
- Relational tension
