Grief support for farmers who have lost family members to suicide

If you or someone you love are in distress or having suicidal thoughts, you can call the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988. 
 

Farming can be a temperamental line of work for the people who work on, and manage, the more than 70,000 farms in Illinois. Many factors are outside the control of farmers. The weather can make for a great harvest one year, and an absolutely devastating growing season the next. There's a lack of rural health care providers and economic factors. According to the National Rural Health Association, the suicide rate among farmers is three and a half times higher than the general population. And when someone in a farm family loses someone to suicide, that can take a toll on the rest of the family. 

Resources:

Southern Illinois University's Suicide Bereavement Support Group, Farm Family Resource Initiative. The group will meet on January 23 and on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

FFA mental health awareness grants

GUEST:
 
Rachel Brown
Leader, Suicide Bereavement Support Group, Farm Family Resource Initiative, SIU Health