Death on the Farm: How I Learned that Social Work (and Everyone) Should Care about Farmer Suicide
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Farmers and farm families are not often seen as a vulnerable population in need of social work services. This narrative reflection describes how I, a child of the suburbs, came to be involved in research examining stress and suicide rates in farmers. Through a chance conversation with a colleague, I began to learn about the high rates of suicide and multiple stressors among farmers. Together with collaborators from Cooperative Extension, we have begun working to develop suicide prevention and intervention initiatives. Through this process I learned about the rich potential for collaboration with scholars and service providers in the agricultural sector and have grown in commitment to this work. Farmers provide the food, fiber, and fuel we all need; their needs and challenges are of relevance to all of us. I believe social work should turn its attention to this vulnerable population in curriculum, direct practice, advocacy, and research.
Author: Scheyett, Anna
Institution: University of Georgia
Language: English
Topic: Agriculture and Farm Safety
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7215471369