Farming communities face some of the highest rates of stress and suicide of any occupation — yet mental health challenges in agriculture remain widely underaddressed. Economic pressure, rural isolation, limited access to care, and the demands of agricultural work create conditions that affect farm families in ways that are distinct from the broader population.

In this free CAST webinar, Florence Becot, PhD, Nationwide Insurance Early Career Professor in Agricultural Safety and Health at Pennsylvania State University and director of the Penn State Agricultural Safety and Health Program, draws on five years of mixed-methods research to walk through what the data shows about mental health and well-being in agriculture, what structural and social factors drive these outcomes, and what responses — from peer support programs to policy-level change — are making a real difference.

Topics covered include:

• Mental health and well-being in agricultural communities
• The structural, economic, and household-level stressors behind these challenges
• The landscape of support: education, mental health services, and financial programs
• Why farmers are more willing to seek help than they are able to
• Avenues for change — from reducing stigma to addressing root causes

The session includes an extended Q&A covering help-seeking barriers, the role of stigma, regional differences, what policymakers should prioritize, and practical advice for farmers who are struggling.

Watch the recording: