Farmer Mental Health Interventions: A Systematic Review

Abstract

The prevalence of mental health disorders and suicide amongst agricultural producers is a global problem. Community leaders, researchers, policymakers, and clinicians have mobilized to develop programs to address this issue. This study reviewed a wide range of mental health interventions targeting farmer mental health spanning over 50 years and examined their reported effectiveness and constraints. A total of ninety-two articles on farmer mental health were included in a final systematic review. Most articles were written concerning mental health literacy and peer and paraprofessional support interventions in the United States and Australia. Among the 56 studies reporting empirical evaluative data, 21 were mixed-method, 20 quantitative, 11 qualitative, and 5 literature synthesis. Non-experimental, self-reported, and qualitative data suggest efficacy of mental health literacy programs, peer and paraprofessional support, and community-based and agroecological interventions. However, most interventions were not subject to rigorous evaluation and only one intervention was evaluated using a control condition. The heterogeneity of existing studies and paucity of rigorous evaluation proscribes firm conclusions related to program-type efficacy. This review demonstrates that there is still a need for a stronger and broader evidence base in the field of farmer mental health interventions, which should focus on both holistic, multi-component programs and targeted approaches.

From co‐design to co‐production: Approaches, enablers, and constraints in developing a public health, capacity‐building solution

“…A paper detailing the PPKN and the application of Trischler et al's 6 co‐design framework was previously published 7 . The article reflected on the online multi‐workshop process undertaken and proposed adaptions to Trischler et al's model when co‐designing online 7 .…”

“…7 Nine design principles were identified as an outcome of the co-design process. These design principles were: (1) Personal connection is essential; (2) Keeping an eye on the goal; (3) Language matters; (4) One size will not fit all; (5) There is limited downtime as a primary producer; (6) Local matters; (7) Personalisation encourages engagement; (8) Virtual digital connection is becoming more acceptable and accessible in a range of formats; and (9) Utilise existing knowledge, resources and networks. 7 Following the completion of the co-production process, the PPKN project team retrospectively reflected on the process undertaken.…”

“…While primary producers are clearly in need of preventative mental health programs, 2 they have been traditionally perceived as difficult to engage 5 . Evidence suggests that increasing the acceptability of mental health prevention programs improves uptake by primary producers 6 . To develop an ‘acceptable’ mental health prevention strategy requires a co‐designed approach with key stakeholders that have vested interests in the solution design.…”

Pandemic distress on the farm: Farmers concerned about emotional impacts of COVID-19.

“…Mental health interventions to address these high rates of farmer stress, mental health disorders, and suicide are challenging due to the paucity of mental health providers in rural areas, as well as the stigma attached to help-seeking seen in agrarian communities (Morning Consult, 2020; Ni Laoire, 2005; Rosmann, 2005). Interventions suggested to be effective involve education, outreach, and support and include mental health literacy programs, peer and paraprofessional outreach and support, mobile crisis counseling, and community social network development (Rosmann, 2005; Younker & Radunovich, 2021).…”

Riesgo suicida y estrategias de afrontamiento al estrés en población campesina colombiana

“…Los estudios sobre suicidio en población campesina en diferentes países han mostrado que depende de muchos factores que interactúan entre sí, lo que implica que no puede atribuirse a un suceso único, resulta de la suma de factores que hacen más vulnerable a esta población por el alto aislamiento a nivel geográfico e interpersonal (Hirsch y Cukrowicz, 2014), los fenómenos del clima y el estigma por ser campesino (Perceval et al, 2018(Perceval et al, , 2019 y hasta las catástrofes (Reed & Claunch, 2020). Además del acceso limitado a los servicios de salud (Sartore et al, 2007), los trastornos del estado de ánimo, de salud mental (Hagen et al, 2019;Yazd et al, 2019), la pobreza, el desempleo, factores económicos, la pérdida financiera más que bajos ingresos (Bossard et al, 2016;Shoib & Kim, 2019;Turvey et al, 2002;Sturgeon & Morrissette, 2010;Vijayakumar, 2010), las extensas horas de trabajo, problemas de relación romántica (Kunde et al, 2017), la edad, la baja autoestima, deficiente cuidado de la salud, acceso a medios letales, el consumo de alcohol, el aislamiento social, pobre apoyo emocional, las pérdidas, situaciones estresantes (Younker & Radunovich, 2022), la depresión y bajo nivel de apoyo social (Liu et al, 2017).…”