[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 90 (Thursday, May 23, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3892]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 SENATE RESOLUTION 710--SUPPORTING THE DESIGNATION OF MAY 29, 2024, AS 
   ``MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS IN AGRICULTURE DAY'' TO RAISE AWARENESS 
AROUND MENTAL HEALTH IN THE AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRY AND WORKFORCE AND TO 
        CONTINUE TO REDUCE STIGMA ASSOCIATED WITH MENTAL ILLNESS

  Mrs. FISCHER (for herself and Mr. Bennet) submitted the following 
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 710

       Whereas, according to the 2022 Census of Agriculture of the 
     Department of Agriculture, 3,370,000 producers, less than 2 
     percent of the population of the United States, provide high-
     quality food, fuel, and fiber to the United States and 
     abroad;
       Whereas, according to the Economic Policy Institute, there 
     are approximately 1,600,000 farmworkers in the United States;
       Whereas, according to the National Rural Health 
     Association, the rate of suicide among farmers is 3.5 times 
     greater than among the general population;
       Whereas, according to the Mortality-Linked National Health 
     Interview Survey, suicide rates among farmworkers are 1.4 
     times higher than rates across all other occupations;
       Whereas May is ``National Mental Health Awareness Month''; 
     and
       Whereas the stigma surrounding mental and behavioral health 
     persists and acknowledging this public health crisis and 
     creating awareness is as important as ever: Now, therefore, 
     be it
       Resolved, That the Senate--
       (1) designates May 29, 2024, as ``Mental Health Awareness 
     in Agriculture Day'' to raise awareness around mental health 
     in the agricultural industry and reduce the stigma associated 
     with mental illness;
       (2) recognizes the important role of individuals in 
     agriculture as providers of high-quality products to the 
     United States and the world;
       (3) seeks to create awareness for the unique challenges 
     agricultural producers and workers face, such as weather 
     unpredictability, labor intensity and shortages, farm 
     succession, and fluctuating commodity and market prices;
       (4) highlights the resources available through the Farm and 
     Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) of the Department of 
     Agriculture in connecting agricultural producers and workers 
     to stress assistance programs; and
       (5) encourages all to observe Mental Health Awareness in 
     Agriculture Day as an opportunity to promote mental well-
     being and awareness for current and future agricultural 
     producers and workers.

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