South Dakota State University Extension has partnered with Rising Hope Counseling to launch the Agriculture Behavioral Health Voucher Program, offering free mental health support for farmers, ranchers, and agricultural professionals.
The program provides up to five free counseling sessions for eligible participants and their immediate families, helping remove barriers like cost and access that often prevent individuals in agriculture from seeking help. Rising Hope Counseling has 27 offices across the state and also offers telehealth options for added convenience.
SDSU Extension leaders note that 2025 has been especially stressful for producers due to high input costs, weather challenges, and low commodity prices. These financial pressures, combined with the intense demands of harvest, have taken a toll on mental health. Experts emphasize that suicide rates among agricultural workers are 3.5 times higher than in other professions, underscoring the importance of accessible care.
And a reminder, if you are having thoughts of suicide or self harm, the crisis hotline number is 988.
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