SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — The New York State Office of Mental Health announced it awarded $2 million to AIM Independent Living Center. AIM was selected through a competitive state process to implement the new program.
AIM Independent Living Center will operate the Farmers Supporting Farmers program. The program will provide free consulting services, operate a statewide helpline, and conduct outreach workshops for farming communities. The $2 million will be awarded over five years and targeted at 44 counties across the state.
Abbott Farms owner Warren Abbott said he would like to see Gov. Kathy Hochul go further.
“If she really cared about farmers she would be looking into the rules and regulations. I spend between 40-60 percent of my time on government regulations,” he said.
Oliver’s produce owner Sawyer Oliver said she thinks the money will be beneficial in releasing stress among rural communities.
“You know different things like that would definitely benefit us overall and make the job a lot less stressful,” she said.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the biggest rural demographic impacted by mental health issues are residents age 55 and older. They said nearly 20 percent of rural residents age 55 and older live with a mental health issue. Oliver said she has noticed that trend in her community.
“So generally older generations have a very hard time. Since they spend so much of their time farming; what do they do when they are not farming since they don’t have any hobbies? That’s something I see a lot,” she said.
According to a 2021 New York Office of Mental Health report on rural suicide prevention, rural areas have a much higher suicide rate than other parts of the state. The suicide rate per 100,000 people is 13.1 in rural areas compared to 8.3 in non-rural areas. The report notes that rural suicide rates increased 47 percent between 2000 and 2018, compared to 40 percent statewide. Over 86 percent of the state is considered rural, but only 18 percent of the state’s population lives in those areas.
Office of Mental Health Commissioner Dr. Ann Sullivan said the goal is to support rural communities that might have trouble accessing mental health resources otherwise.
“The Farmers Supporting Farmers program provides peer support and other services designed to improve behavioral health among farming communities and offer critical support to individuals and families at risk that might otherwise be disconnected from our system of care,” she said.
For more information on this story, listen to the radio wrap version.
AUDIO TRANSCRIPT: New York awards $2 million to support mental health in rural farming communities
Anchor: In more local news, farmers are receiving mental health support from New York State. NCC News’s Adam Crooks explains why some still want more help.
Adam Crooks: The New York State Office of Mental Health announced it awarded $2 million to AIM Independent Living. They will operate Farmers Supporting Farmers, a group that provides services to improve mental health.
Oliver’s Produce owner Sawyer Oliver says the money might help.
Sawyer Oliver: You know different things like that would definitely benefit us overall and make the job a lot less stressful.
Adam Crooks: Abbott Farms owner Warren Abbott says he would like to see Governor Hochul go further.
Warren Abbott: If she really cared about farmers she would be looking into the rules and regulations. I spend between 40-60 percent of my time on government regulations.
Adam Crooks: Farmers have among the highest suicide rates in the country. According to a 2018 CDC study, farmers have a suicide rate three-point-five times higher than the general population. Adam Crooks, NCC News.