Farmer Mental-Health Calls Surge As Trade Tensions And Inflation Push Producers To The Brink

Calls to Hotlines Spike as Farmers Face Unprecedented Financial and Market Stress

Calls to mental-health and crisis hotlines for farmers have surged as producers confront a convergence of economic pressures — rising input costs, low commodity prices and trade disruptions — that are creating new and more complex problems for even experienced operators. The Iowa Concern hotline reported four to five times the call volume this fall compared with the same months last year, and Farm Aid operators say callers increasingly include long-established farmers dealing with issues they have not faced before.

Why Calls Are Rising

Economic pressure. Inflation and higher input costs since 2020, along with policy shifts such as tariffs and tightened immigration enforcement, have driven operating costs up while commodity prices remain below many producers' break-even points. Corn prices are roughly $0.85 below break-even and soybeans about $2 below, leaving many growers losing money even on strong yields.

Market disruptions. About 42% of U.S. soybeans were exported in 2024, historically to buyers such as China. Reduced Chinese purchases amid trade tensions — and uncertainty about how much the recent agreement will translate into actual buying — have left some farmers scrambling for markets. At the same time, aid programs that helped move crops to domestic buyers have been cut.

Personal and structural risk factors. Farmers face isolation, limited rural mental-health access, cultural stigma, easy access to firearms, succession worries and labor shortages. Research shows farmers die by suicide at least twice as often as the general population; more than 1,600 farmers died by suicide between 2003 and 2017.

Human Stories and Local Impact

Emma Yerkey, who farms corn, soybeans and hay near Geneseo, Illinois, remembers both the rewards and the strain of farm life. She recalls raising a ribbon-winning calf with her father, Tim Yerkey, who also faced recurring financial pressure and sought help during a crisis in 2011. He died by suicide in June 2011. "I miss my dad, and I don't want anybody else — or any other family — to go through that," she said.

Operators and counselors report more urgent calls from seasoned producers who know how to navigate farm programs but are running into problems the existing safety net cannot solve. "The system that's in place is simply letting them down. There's just no further safety net," said Lori Mercer, a Farm Aid hotline operator.

Community-Based Solutions and Practical Help

Local and grassroots efforts are emerging to reach producers where they are. Gray Matters' Ag Chapter in the Quad-Cities hosts monthly "Barn Talks" so farmers can share struggles and receive peer support. Organizers aim to normalize mental-health conversations and reduce stigma.

Experts recommend bringing services to rural communities and training trusted contacts — lenders, suppliers, large-animal veterinarians, extension agents and spouses — to recognize warning signs and refer farmers to resources. Programs that offer practical assistance, such as farm financial assessments (farm financial associates) and cooperative grain-storage partnerships, can also reduce stress by addressing the root financial problems.

Hotlines and Immediate Resources

Immediate help is available: call 988 (the Lifeline), 1-800-FARM-AID, or the Iowa Concern Hotline at 800-447-1985 (available 24/7 by phone, chat, email, or text). Services are available in Spanish. For producers facing storage challenges, local partnerships or alternative cooperative arrangements may be options.

"Even if you can save one life, I mean, that's so worth it," said Yerkey, reflecting the urgency behind outreach and community support.

What You Can Do

• Listen and acknowledge farmers' work — simple thanks can help reduce stigma.
• Encourage use of hotlines and local support groups.
• Support community programs that bring mental-health resources and financial counseling to rural areas.