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States struggle to meet rural behavioral health needs without federal funds

By Lynda Waddington 9/11/09

Facing increased demand for behavioral health services, agencies in at least 28 states have been looking to Iowa for advice on the problem. A federal program designed to address the rural mental health crisis nationwide has been authorized by Congress, but hasn’t been funded.

Farmer suicides spotlight lack of mental health care in rural America

By Lynda Waddington 7/23/09

The psychological attachment farm families feel for their land and livestock is one of the lessons of the 1980s farm crisis — a time when farmer suicides and rural violence made front page news across the nation. Back then, Iowa and Nebraska, two states severely impacted by the farm crisis, developed crisis hotlines designed specifically to serve the needs of agricultural workers. Today, in the wake of natural disasters and in the midst of economic uncertainty, the hotlines are experiencing a spike in activity, likely helping to prevent more tragedies.

Psychological attachments make hard times even harder for dairy farmers

By Lynda Waddington 7/14/09

Extremely low milk prices paid by distributors have pushed many dairy farmers to the brink of financial ruin, but after spending a day with the owners of L & L Ayrshires, it became clear that balance sheets only tell part of the story.

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