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Cited by 0Agriculture and Farm SafetySuicide and Self-Harm StudiesMental Health Treatment and Access

Mental Health Stressors and Barriers to Support Among Rural Farmers: A Qualitative Study of Agricultural Communities in the East South-Central United States

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Ward, Jeanne M., Perkins, Melissa, Blosnich, John R.·2026·International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
DOI 10.3390/ijerph23080983PMC PMC13512545
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Abstract

Introduction: Suicide rates among individuals working in agriculture remain disproportionately high in the United States. Although farming-related stressors and coping strategies are documented, gaps remain in understanding how farmers sustain themselves psychologically amid chronic stress and why elevated suicide risk persists despite apparent resilience. Purpose: This study sought to explore the major stressors of farming, coping strategies used by farmers, and their barriers to help-seeking, with the goal of informing suicide prevention and mental health interventions. Methods: Fourteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with Kentucky farmers recently receiving a suicide prevention intervention. Participants were purposively sampled and interviewed via telephone or Zoom. Interviews were transcribed, modified verbatim, and then analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: Farmers described chronic stressors, including financial volatility, time scarcity, uncontrollable weather, loneliness, and feeling misunderstood or undervalued by the general public. Despite these stressors, many participants initially denied being stressed. Their coping strategies centered on meaning-making rather than stress elimination, including faith, gratitude, nature-based reflection, occupational pride, and community ties. However, prominent barriers to help-seeking included stigma, self-reliance, and privacy concerns. Conclusions: The findings suggest that farmer resilience is primarily enacted through their resourcefulness, including enduring stressors and reframing their thoughts, which enabled their continued functioning despite chronic stress. However, their resourcefulness often obscures their distress and delays help-seeking. These findings may help explain why elevated suicide risk persists among farmers even with strong coping narratives. Interventions that leverage existing strengths while addressing stigma, trust, and structural stressors are needed to better support farmer mental health and suicide prevention.

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Authors
Ward, J. M., Perkins, M., & Blosnich, J. R.
Affiliations
  • Indiana University Indianapolis (US)
  • University of Southern California (US)
Corresponding author
Ward, Jeanne M.
ORCID
Venue
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2026-07-29
Volume
23
Issue
8
Pages
983
ISSN
1660-4601 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/ijerph23080983
PMC
PMC13512545
OpenAlex
W7171679334
Cited by
0
References
37
FWCI
0.00
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health (T32CA117865)
  • National Institute of Mental Health (DP2MH129967)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Agricultural and Biological Sciences › Plant Science › Agriculture and Farm Safety
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Suicide and Self-Harm Studies
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Mental Health Treatment and Access
Keywords
farmer mental health, chronic stress, coping strategies, help-seeking barriers, stigma, resilience, meaning-making, financial market volatility, loneliness, suicide prevention, rural farmers, Kentucky
MeSH terms
Farmers, Suicide Prevention, Coping Skills, Adaptation, Psychological, Adult, Agriculture, Female, Humans, Kentucky, Male, Middle Aged, Rural Population, Stress, Psychological, Qualitative Research

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