Bennet, Fischer Introduce Resolution Promoting Mental Health in Agricultural Industry and Workforce

May 27, 2026 | Press Releases

Denver - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet and Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating May 29, 2026, as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day. U.S. Representatives Mike Bost (R-Ill.) and Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives.

"Colorado farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers face unprecedented challenges from severe drought to increased costs that can take a toll on their mental health," said Bennet. "I've consistently worked to expand access to affordable, reliable mental health care for all Coloradans and am grateful to stand with Senator Fischer and my Senate colleagues to designate May 29th as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day. Providing visibility and awareness to address these challenges is essential for progress."

"Farmers, ranchers, and ag workers have some of the toughest jobs in the country," said Fischer. "Right now, a struggling farm economy is making life even harder - and it weighs heavily on the minds of those who feed and fuel our nation. This resolution designates May 29th as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day and sheds light on the resources available for those in need. I thank my colleagues for joining this bipartisan, bicameral effort as we keep working to ease the strain in farm country."

"Our farmers are proud, salt of the Earth people, but they face tremendous pressures in a tough industry," said Bost. "The stress that comes with the profession is real, with a suicide rate 3.5 times higher than the general population. Volatile markets, rising input costs, and unpredictable weather don't just threaten a family farm's bottom line, they take a toll on mental health, too. This legislation is a step towards making sure they know that if they're struggling, they don't have to struggle alone."

"Farmers in Washington state and across the country face a variety of challenges, from extreme weather and skyrocketing costs to changing markets at home and abroad," said Schrier. "Our agricultural industry is under stress, which has taken a toll on farmers' mental health. I am proud to introduce this resolution to raise awareness of this rural mental health crisis and commit to supporting our producers in every way we can as they feed our country, uplift our economies, and bolster rural America."

Bennet has consistently advocated in Congress to increase awareness of and support for mental health in agricultural communities. In addition to supporting this resolution each year, Bennet reintroduced the Agricultural Access to Substance Use Disorder Treatment and Mental Health Care Act in March 2025 to require the Government Accountability Office to study the barriers that farming and ranching communities face to access mental and behavioral health care. In 2023 and 2025, Bennet also joined his colleagues in supporting the bipartisan Farmers First Act to increase funding for the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network and connect farmers with mental health resources.

This legislation is supported by the National Cattlemen's Beef Association, the National Farmers Union, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, the National Rural Health Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Pork Producers, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Corn Growers Association, the Agricultural Retailers Association, and the Farm Credit Services of America.

In addition to Bennet and Fischer, this legislation is cosponsored by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-Ark.) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), as well as U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.), Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Steve Daines (R-Mont.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.), John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Roger Marshall (R-Kan.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.), Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.).

The text of the resolution is available HERE. Statements of support can be found HERE.

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