Oregon Farmers May Be Getting a Mental Health Hotline
By Garrett Christensen on Thursday, March 16th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
OREGON – Mental health is a complicated subject with a large number of variables feeding into it. One’s own unique circumstances and place in life can greatly shift what types of treatment options are available or effective. One bill within the Oregon Legislature aims to provide support for a more specific demographic.
Senit Bill 995, as listed on the Oregon Legislative website, “Appropriates moneys from General Fund to support implementation of AgriStress Helpline in Oregon. Declares emergency, effective July 1, 2023.”
According to Union County Commissioner Paul Anders, the project is in part being worked on by the OSU Extension Office to help develop a mental health and suicide hotline specifically for Oregon’s farmers and agricultural workers, commenting, “It’s a national hotline for farmers and ranchers for mental health. Unfortunately, we have way too many suicides in the ag sector. This specifically addresses their unique needs.”
For more information on the bill and the March 16 public hearing, visit SB955 2023 Regular Session – Oregon Legislative Information System (oregonlegislature.gov)
