House Resolution No. [insert number] aims to designate December 15-21, 2025, as Michigan Farmers Suicide Awareness Week. This initiative highlights the critical mental health challenges faced by individuals in the agriculture sector, particularly in farming, forestry, and fishing, where the suicide rate is significantly higher than the state average. In 2023, the suicide rate for these workers was 84.5 per 100,000, with eleven reported suicides in that year alone. The resolution underscores the economic pressures and stressors that contribute to this crisis, including rural isolation, unpredictable weather, fluctuating markets, and the burden of maintaining generational farms.

The resolution seeks to raise awareness about the mental health issues affecting farmers and their families, aiming to reduce stigma and mobilize community support. By establishing a dedicated awareness week, the resolution encourages legislative and agency action to enhance mental health resources for those in the agricultural sector. The recognition of this week is intended to foster a supportive environment that addresses the mental health needs of farm families in Michigan.