It’s no secret that suicide numbers have risen to disturbing levels all across the country. According to Representative Joan Ballweg of Markesan, in Wisconsin farmers are among the greatest at risk with the highest rate of suicide of any occupation. Ballweg is the chairperson for the Speaker’s Task Force on Suicide Prevention in the state, and has been attempting to increased attention to this important and vital issue. Ballweg released a statement yesterday responding to the report that the DATCP Secretary designee has been withholding the actual numbers of calls that come into the Farm Center and the demand for counseling vouchers, among other services provided. She put it very bluntly, “I’d like to remind the Secretary-designee and the department that this is not a game. I hope they will be more forthcoming at our public hearing on Monday, July 29 in Marshfield where the task force will be addressing farmer suicide.”
