Farm Stress and Opioids in Mississippi

Floor Speech

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Mr. GUEST. Mr. Speaker, September is National Recovery Month, a time to look for ways to support recovery strategies for mental health and substance use disorders.

Mississippi State University's Extension Service is working to reduce opioid misuse by farmers and ranchers across our State.

Farmers have to face changing markets, weather events, financial hardships, leading to farm stress while operating in one of the most hazardous occupations. A valid opioid prescription given to a farmer can lead to opioid misuse. Three out of four farmers have reported that they have been affected by opioid misuse, and that opioids can be easily accessed.

Through support from the USDA and SAMHSA, Mississippi State University is training extension service agents to deliver mental health first aid to farmers, as well as working with pharmacists and medical personnel to better recognize misuse. This program is already demonstrating incredible results as farmers are utilizing extension agents to seek care.

I applaud the work of Mississippi State University and other organizations in Mississippi that recognize needs in our community and are finding creative ways to reach Mississippians with care.

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