Hawaii farmers battling depression in large numbers, UH study finds

Following years of stress-inducing challenges, Hawaiian farmers and ranchers are entering an uncertain 2023, and new research shows it’s taking a toll on their mental health. suggests.

A recent University of Hawaii study found that nearly half of farmers under the age of 45, 48%, experience depression and 14% suffer from suicidal thoughts, nearly twice as many as the general Hawaii population. .

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Hawaii at Manoa School of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, is part of a broader federal program focused on the mental health of farmers across the country.

“Hawaii is very unique and different from the mainland because we have so much diversity.There are small farms in Hawaii, there are many different commodity groups, many different niches and different markets. Ethnic Groups: Project Director for Family and Consumer Sciences and “Seeds of Wellbeing”. This is a program aimed at reducing stigma around mental health discussions in farming communities.

Challenges visiting Hawaii’s farms and ranches in recent years include the environmental strain of drought, the devastation of crops by invasive species, and the disruption of supply chains for necessary materials and equipment by COVID-19. And in 2022, the war in Ukraine has created new disruptions, including rising costs for some fertilizers and other materials.

Hawaii is part of the Western Territories Agricultural Stress Assistance Program, established by the US Department of Agriculture during the agricultural crisis of the 1980s, amid a spike in farm worker suicides. In addition to funding from that program, in 2021 the USDA received funding through a grant from the Federal Farmer Stress Assistance Program. Part of that was assigned to his UH survey of her 408 farm workers across the island. Previously, there were no such surveys in Hawaii.

“In Hawaii … we didn’t have standards for producer mental health,” says Le. “Is it the same or different from what has been shown on the mainland? All of today’s research on farmer mental health was done on the mainland, so there was nothing.”

Le said the research was limited in scope and needs more research, but it collected a broad sample of Hawaii’s diverse farming communities. The ages of the participants ranged from he was 18 to he was 90, and the men and women were split evenly. They came from different backgrounds and worked in different parts of the industry. There are an estimated 7,300 farmers in Hawaii, approximately 2,000 earning at least $50,000 in annual income.

Young farmers, like farmers of East and Southeast Asian descent, were more likely to report depression and suicidal ideation. While likely to be open about it, he believes that older Hawaiian farmers and ranchers may face similar issues that they are reluctant to talk about.

“We’re developing resources to help local producers manage stress, but at the same time, mental health is highly stigmatized,” she said. Is there anyone who hasn’t had mental health issues lately?”

This research builds on an ongoing grassroots effort to start the mental health conversation in Hawaii’s farming communities. In 2019, her Maui farmer, Reba Lopez, 34, set up a tent at a convention in Honolulu that she described to her Star Advertiser as “a safe place for farmers to just meet and talk.” did. Lopez, a board member of the Hawaii Farmers Union, has applied for a grant from WRASAP to help the union expand these efforts.

According to Lopez, most farmers in Hawaii “only talked about profits, yields, soil health and plant health, never about mental health. It’s kind of taboo.”

According to Lee, research conducted on the mainland shows that farmers tend to be reluctant to seek help from mental health professionals and instead turn to family members and religious figures. I was. Hawaii is similar in that respect. But Le and some farmers see an opportunity for change. Lopez has partnered with Le and through the Mentor Program he works with Seeds of Well-being. This program trains a farmer on how to talk and make referrals to mental health his resources.

“What excites me is tapping into Hawaii’s Ohana culture,” says Le. , and know how to approach that conversation and have that conversation and what to say. “

“It’s a unique position for Hawaii and farmers to be already in the industry and make mental health a taboo,” Lopez said. I think that could really make a difference here.”

Across the islands, there is a continuing resurgence of interest in Hawaii’s agricultural history, with Palaca-print clothing and fabrics gaining popularity and a renewed interest in local produce and cuisine. 83% of residents surveyed said they believe agriculture is important to their state, and 56% are willing to spend more on local produce. Still, his 85% to 90% of Hawaii’s food is imported, and less than 1% of the state budget goes to agricultural programs.

“You could say that people want it,” Lopez said. “But governments are not listening, they are not putting half of their budget into farming, they are focusing on contracts and regulations that support large-scale farming.”

The price tag associated with agriculture is particularly daunting to aspiring young farmers drawn to the allure of making a living on land.

Land in Hawaii is expensive, whether sold or leased, and unless the new farmer is from a family that already has the land or wealth to buy it, entering the field is not only costly, but risky. Farmers need advertising know-how as well as striving for a successful growing season. For many in Hawaii, access to major stores, let alone export options, seems out of reach. Many rely on farmers markets and roadside vendors for a living.

Moreover, failure can prove financially disastrous after months of growing crops and livestock with uncertain payments.

“These issues lead to mental health issues as young people are confronted with wanting to be successful, wanting their families to be proud, and choosing careers that make them happy,” Lopez said. I was. Third generation farmer. “They see the ideal of farming and the lifestyle they want, but they can’t make money off it.”

Additionally, the effects of climate change are weighing heavily on island farmers. Their future is likely to include projected droughts and increased strain on water supplies.

“Let’s say we had 75 inches of rain last year. Now we only have 70 inches,” says Lopez. “For me, that’s exactly what’s happening. I live in a wet part of Maui, Haiku, in a catchment, and I worry about water all the time. If the drought lasts three months , it’s new to me and just changes all practices.”

These challenges weigh heavily on young farmers, and many quit within five years. Lee says the phenomenon is not unique to Hawaii and has been called “agricultural obsolescence.”

Given that Hawaii relies heavily on “large-scale farming” and imported food, Lopez said, “If you can’t support young people choosing this career, you’re basically just shooting yourself.” Told.

Research highlights

Farmers under 45

48%

experienced depression

14%

suffered from suicidal thoughts

Source: University of Hawaii