Pass the Supporting Farm Workers’ Mental Health Act

Diverse Workforce

Prevention, Early Intervention, & Youth

Topics

SUD Crisis

Peers

social determinants of health

Employment

Population

Rural Communities

Coverage & Standards

Support Services

Federal department

Agriculture

house committees

No items found.

senate committees

Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee

Recommendation

Congress should pass the Supporting Farm Workers’ Mental Health Act.

Background/summary

In 2008, the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network was created as a support network with resources for farmers and ranchers. Farmworkers - the increasing population of workers that support farmers with labor - were not included in the original population eligible for care. According to a recent study, almost 20% of farm workers reported symptoms of anxiety and 14% reported feeling depressed. The Farm Workers’ Mental Health Act would include farmworkers as an eligible population and make peer-to-peer care an eligible grant activity.

citations

1. United States Senate. “Padilla, Harder Introduce Legislation to Improve Mental Health Care Access for Farm Workers.” Last updated September 21, 2023.

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