Introduced Version
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. _____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the mental health
challenges in the Hoosier farming community.
CRIDER
, re ad first time and referred to Committee on
2021 RC 1517/DI NM
 Introduced
First Regular Session 122nd General Assembly (2021)
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. _____
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION recognizing the mental
2 health challenges in the Hoosier farming community.
3 Whereas, American farmers contribute over $133 billion to
4 the nation's annual gross domestic product;
5 Whereas, The life of a farmer can be demanding and
6 mentally taxing, as unpredictable weather and economic
7 uncertainty can bring on stress, anxiety, and depression;
8 Whereas, Suicide in rural areas is a serious, troubling
9 issue, and according to the United States Centers for Disease
10 Control and Prevention, farmers are at an increased risk of
11 dying by suicide compared to other occupations;
12 Whereas, The opioid crisis continues to plague rural
13 communities, where 74% of farmers and farmworkers report
14 that they have been impacted by the crisis, and 75% of farmers
15 believe it is easy to access opioids without a prescription;
16 Whereas, Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, two out of
17 three farmers report that they have experienced greater mental
18 health challenges;
19 Whereas, In 2018, the University of Michigan studied the
20 lack of access to mental health care in rural areas, finding that
21 there are about three mental health care professionals per
22 100,000 residents in rural counties compared to ten mental
23 health care professionals per 100,000 residents in urban
24 counties;
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1 Whereas, The social stigma placed on mental health care
2 among farming communities poses another significant barrier
3 to effective treatment;
4 Whereas, Farming groups, such as the American Farm
5 Bureau Federation and the National Farmers Union, have
6 partnered to increase awareness for the mental health
7 challenges facing farmers and ranchers, help farmers identify
8 and manage sources of stress, and reduce the stigma
9 surrounding mental health; and
10 Whereas, The Indiana General Assembly's recognition of
11 the gravity of mental health issues in Hoosier farming
12 communities is necessary to help promote awareness and
13 advance mental health treatment: Therefore,
14 Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly
15 of the State of Indiana, the House of Representatives
16 concurring:
17 SECTION 1. That the Indiana General Assembly
18 recognizes the mental health challenges in the farming
19 community.
20 SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed
21 to transmit copies of this Resolution to Jordyn Wickard.
2021 RC 1517/DI NM