U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.) and Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) have introduced legislation to support the study of the barriers farming and ranching communities face when seeking mental health support.
Farmers and ranchers face a variety of challenges that could impact their mental health, including unstable commodity prices, rising input costs, more frequent wildfires, severe drought and other extreme weather events, according to a Nov. 2 news release from Mr. Bennet's office.
The Agricultural Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Mental Health Care Act of 2023 would require the Government Accountability Office to study the accessibility of substance use treatment and mental healthcare providers trained to serve the needs of farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers and their families.