Texas Organizations and Farmers Work to Break the Stigma Around Suicide

Grant Heinrich, a Slaton native who works in agricultural aviation on his family’s cotton farm, has been touched by tragedy more than once in his life. And unfortunately, it’s a story that’s too common amongst those working in agriculture.

Several years ago, Heinrich was in his office when he got a text from a young farmhand. As he read it, he realized what it was: a suicide note. Heinrich sprang into action and was able to find his friend – still alive – and calm him down. But that’s not always the case.

“Unfortunately, I’ve been around suicide way too much,” Heinrich says. “I’ve had an uncle and two cousins pass away by suicide.”

Heinrich shares his story in a video produced by Texas A&M AgriLife Extension and the Southwest Center for Agricultural Health, Injury Prevention and Education (SW Ag Center) called “Home Safe Home | Grant Heinrich.” The video aims to put a spotlight on mental health and crush the stigma around suicide in agriculture.

“We were introduced to Grant, and he was just amazing,” says Miquela Smith, extension program specialist for health within the AgriLife Extension disaster assessment and recovery unit.

“He was so deeply impacted and said he would do anything to help prevent this from happening more.” Due to the uncontrollable, constant, often up-and-down nature of the work, farmers are more susceptible to depression, substance use and suicide. But Smith and others have found that they often don’t want to reach out for help, in fear of shame and stigma.

“We wanted the video to have a very apparent message of hope and show that, while stress is common among people who work in the agricultural industry, help is available,” she says. “Grant has been such a big help and we’ve seen how different it is in our educational programs when someone with real-life experience talks to farmers about the issue.”

The video was received extremely well and is the first piece of addressing a larger issue. “Stories like this help to make an impact. While these conversations are not easy, they are vital to breaking down the stigma surrounding mental health,” says Shelbie Lambert, content strategist for the SW Ag Center. “We want to remind producers that it only takes one person to make a difference.”

If you or someone you know needs support, call or text the AgriStress Helpline at 833-897-2474. Learn more about available resources at agrilifeextension.tamu.edu and uttyler.edu/academics/colleges-schools/medicine/swag-center/index.php.