NW Twin Cities

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Tom Emmer (MN-06) is continuing his longtime advocacy for greater access to mental health resources for rural Americans. Recently, Emmer led colleagues in a letter urging for the reauthorization of the FRSAN in this year’s Farm Bill.

“Americans living in rural areas and those working in the ag industry are facing acute mental health challenges and urgently need support,” Emmer said. “We are proud to continue our years-long effort to provide resources for rural and mental health care.”

Approximately 6.5 million rural Americans suffer from a mental illness but receive less frequent mental health treatment from providers with less training than their counterparts living in non-rural areas. For farmers, suicide rates are now three and a half times higher than that of the general population.

On Friday, Emmer advocated for the reauthorization FRSAN and increased funding in interviews with Mark Dorenkamp of Brownfield Ag Radio and Linda Brekke of Linder Farm Network.

Background:

The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) was first created in 2008 to provide mental health resources to Americans living in rural areas and those working in the agriculture industry. The program lapsed due to lack of funding until 2018, when Emmer’s STRESS Act, which renewed and improved FRSAN, was included in the Farm Bill.

FRSAN funds state-level programs like the Minnesota Department of Agriculture’s Bend, Don’t Break project which received $500,000 to support mental health counseling and a 24/7 Farm & Rural Helpline.

Emmer’s letter can be found here.

A list of agricultural, rural and mental health organizations supporting the effort is available here.

Original source can be found here.