Baldwin Pushing For Increased Funding For Mental Health Resources

Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin is pushing for bipartisan legislation to increase funding for rural mental health resources. The Farmers First Act of 2023 would reauthorize the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network funding, boosting it from $10 million to $15 million for the next five years. Those funds would be distributed to organizations across the country. According to the National Rural Health Association, the suicide rate for farmers is three and a half times higher than for the general public. A study from the association found 61% of farmers and ranchers reported stress and mental health challenges in 2021.