Suicide prevention push highlights mental health in Hawaii's farming industry
Hawaii's farmers are facing a mental health crisis made worse by repeated storms, a warning sign for an industry already running on thin margins.
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death in Hawaii, and the islands lose four people a week.
- A University of Hawaii study found men in farming, construction, and the arts are at the highest risk, because their jobs come with low control and constant uncertainty.
- Back-to-back disasters are piling on: the Kona low storms hit 1,800 farms and caused at least $50 million in losses, and Hurricane Lala hurt Big Island farmers and ranchers hardest.
- Storm damage costs more than crops and money — many farmers lose their sense of purpose too.
- The advice being pushed is simple: be kind, watch for changes in friends and family, and call or text 988 for the crisis line.
Outlook: With storm damage from Hurricane Lala still being tallied, pressure on Hawaii's farmers is likely to keep building through the rest of the season.