National Farm Safety and Health Week: Farmer Health & Opioid/Suicide Prevention

Over the last couple years, reporters have been publishing on the startling suicide rate among farmers in the U.S.  Farmers are no strangers to stress.  Their livelihood depends upon the weather, political climate and market prices—all of which are out of their control.  They work long hours and weeks on end without a day off.  They don’t have paid vacation or sick leave.  However, rural communities are often tight knit.  They come-together and pitch-in when someone needs help.  As a member of a rural community you can reach out to your neighbors and talk about stress, suicide and opioids.  Overcoming the stigma of mental strain and opioid abuse is the first step to avoiding further tragedy and reducing the suicide rate in rural America.

More safety information is available from the U.S. Agricultural Safety and Health Centers.  There are 11 Centers located across the country to promote the health and safety of agricultural, forestry and commercial fishing workers.  Find the Center closest to you by entering NIOSH Ag Centers in your search engine.

TODAY’S WEBINARS:

A Research Update from the Agricultural Health Study: Recent Findings, Current Work, and Future Plans (Noon CDT)
Presenter – Christine G. Parks, Ph.D.

Safety Sensitivity of Opioid Use in High Hazardous Industries (2:00 p.m. CDT)
Presenters – Heather Lyons-Burney, Pharm.D.; Ann Marie Butler Kemp, MD; Charlotte Halverson, RN, BSN, COHN-S