As farmers face trade wars and inflation, calls to mental health hotlines rise

[Omaha Steve]

Source: Nebraska Examiner

By: Estefanía Pinto Ruiz - December 8, 2025 4:45 am

As farmers face historic headwinds and market hardships, calls to the national Farm Aid hotline and the Iowa Concern hotline — where farmers can get support in times of mental health crisis or need — are increasing.

This fall, the Iowa Concern hotline saw four to five times the number of calls it had in the same months last year, said Tammy Jacobs, the hotline’s manager.

The Farm Aid hotline is also seeing a change in the urgency of calls.

“We’re seeing more established farmers calling in — people who know how to play the game and how to access programs. They’re calling more often now, because even with all that institutional knowledge, they’re still running into issues for the first time that are more complex and difficult to solve,” said Lori Mercer, a Farm Aid hotline operator. “The system that’s in place is simply letting them down. There’s just no further safety net.”


Emma Yerkey and her dad, Tim Yerkey, with the ribbon-winning calf they raised together. (Photo courtesy of Emma Yerkey)


Read more: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2025/12/08/repub/as-farmers-face-trade-wars-and-inflation-calls-to-mental-health-hotlines-rise/

[Blumancru]

1. They voted overwhelmingly for the orange shitgibbon

The time for calling mental help hotlines should have been then.

[Midnight Writer]

2. Our party should work up a comprehensive plan to make their lives easier and highlight that in the next election.

They are looking for an alternative.

Let's give them one.

[durablend]

4. Most of them aren't interested in our plans

[Martin68]

3. I think some of these people would have done better to call the hotline before they voted for Trump.