Suicide Prevention
According to the Center for Disease Control, suicide remains a significant public health concern and is among the top ten causes of death nationwide. Suicide rates in rural areas are higher than in urban settings and that gap has steadily increased over the past ten years. In addition, farmers have been identified as a high-risk population, with suicide rates consistently above those of the general population. Farm work includes many factors that are also related to suicide risk, including economic volatility, social isolation, and managing chronic pain.
The video below includes information about QPR training, an evidence-based suicide prevention program that empowers community members, bystanders, co-workers, and loved ones to intervene and help prevent suicide. Suicide is a difficult topic to talk about, but experts note that talking about suicide is an important part of prevention. In addition, Mental Health First Aid training is a program that helps bystanders identify and respond to signs of mental illness.
Suicide prevention specialists and mental health care providers talk about suicide prevention in rural Iowa:
Iowa Resources for Suicide Prevention and Support:
CommUnity Crisis Services
988 (chat line available)
1-855-581-8111 (mobile crisis line)
Iowa Crisis Chat
988(chat line available)
Iowa Concern
800-447-1985
Your Life Iowa
855-581-8111 (call)
855-895-8398 (text)
QPR Training
Question. Persuade. Refer. Three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide. The QPR Training Institute offers courses to individuals or groups, in both online and in-person formats. Visit the QPR website to find a local trainer.
Mental Health First Aid
Mental Health First Aid provides skills needed to reach out and provide initial help and support to someone who may be developing a mental health or substance use problem or experiencing a crisis. Visit the website to find a training nearby.
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention ahuffine@afsp.org or (515) 508-0195
A community-based presentation that covers the general scope of suicide, the research on prevention, and what people can do to help save lives. Contact Amara Huffine, Area Director for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Iowa Chapter to schedule a local presentation.
CommUnity Crisis Trainings
CommUnity offers crisis intervention and mental health training. For more information contact Ryan Dickson.
Help Farmers Cope With Stress, Iowa State Extension
Why are America’s Farmers Killing Themselves, The Guardian
CDC Retracts Widely Cited Study on Farmer Suicides, CBS News
Americans in Rural Areas More Likely to Die By Suicide, CDC
Coping with Stress and Common Responses to Stress, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Child or Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting 1-800-362-2178
A hotline for reporting suspected child or dependent adult abuse or fraud.
Children & Families of Iowa (515) 288-1981; (515) 243-6147 (24/7 local crisis hotline)
Dedicated to improving the lives of children and families throughout Iowa. Offices across the state provide services including family support, childcare, career training, and behavioral health.
CommUnity Crisis Services 988 (chat line available); 1-855-581-8111 (mobile crisis line); (319) 351-0128 (Food Bank)
A volunteer-driven organization that provides immediate and non-judgmental support for individuals facing emotional, food, or financial crisis.
Crisis Text Line Text HOME to 741741
Provides free, high-quality, text-based mental health support and crisis intervention by a community of trained volunteers to support people in need.
Disability Rights Iowa 1-800-779-2502; (515) 278-2502
Provides Iowans with the knowledge, advocacy, representation, and assistance they need to defend their rights. Services are free to adults and children with a wide range of disabilities.
Disaster Distress Helpline 1-800-985-5990
A national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. Crisis support service is available to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Crisis Services 1-800-373-1043 or 1-800-228-1625
Provides supportive services to victims of domestic violence, sexual violence, dating violence, stalking and human trafficking. Free and confidential crisis intervention services include 24-hour safe shelter and hotline; advocacy with law enforcement, courts, medical and social services; counseling and support groups; housing services; youth support services; and community education. Services are available for victims/survivors and their partners, friends, and family members.
Family Caregiver Alliance 1-800-445-8106
Provides services to family caregivers of adults with physical and cognitive impairments, such as Parkinson’s, stroke, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. Services include assessment, care planning, direct care skills, wellness programs, respite services, and legal/financial consultation vouchers.
Farm Family Wellness Alliance
Provides a peer-to-peer, farmer-to-farmer support community to all farm families across the U.S. with ongoing referral services as needed.
Foundation 2 Crisis Services 988 or (319) 362-2174
Trained counselors provide compassionate, confidential, and accessible support for individuals and families navigating stress, anxiety, suicide or other crises. Services are available at no cost.
Iowa Area Agencies on Aging 1-866-468-7887
Provides support, services, and advocacy for Iowans aged 60 years and older.
Iowa Concern 1-800-447-1985 (chat line available)
A program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach serving Iowans on topics including legal, financial, stress and crisis/disaster related issues.
Iowa Crisis Chat 988 (chat line available)
A free and confidential online resource for emotional support, staffed by highly trained crisis counselors and operated by CommUnity Crisis Services and Food Bank.
Iowa Victim Service Call Center 1-800-770-1650 or Text IOWAHELP to 20121
A resource for victims and survivors of crime in Iowa. Trained advocates offer support and resources on issues including domestic violence, elder abuse, human trafficking, sexual violence, other crimes, and traumatic life experiences.
LifeLong Links 1-866-468-7887
Searchable database for disability and aging-related home and community services in Iowa.
North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center
Provides stress management and mental health resources and services for agricultural producers and stakeholders in the North Central region.
Personal Assistance Services 1-833-999-FARM (3276) 24 hours/day or Text (314) 451-5727 to chat 9am-5pm CT
Provides farm families with resources to produce and sustain positive change through all seasons of life.
Relay Iowa Dial 711
Hamilton Relay provides telecommunications relay services for the state of Iowa including TTY, Voice Carry Over (VCO), Hearing Carry Over (HCO), Speech-to-Speech (STS), Visually Assisted Speech-to-Speech (VA STS), Spanish and CapTel®.
SAMHSA National Helpline 1-800-662-4357
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) helpline is a free, confidential, treatment referral and information service for individuals and families facing mental and/or substance use disorders.
Suicide & Crisis Lifeline 988 (chat line available)
Lifeline provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress across the U.S. and its territories. The national network combines local care and resources with national standards and best practices.
Telepsychology Training Clinic (319) 535-0437
Offers free, virtual, and short-term mental health counseling to Iowans who may have limited access to mental health care. If long term care is indicated, referrals to community resources can be provided.
Trans Lifeline (877) 565-8860
A grassroots hotline offering direct emotional and financial support to trans people in crisis – for the trans community, by the trans community.
The Trevor Project 1-866-488-7386 (chat line available)
The leading suicide prevention and crisis intervention nonprofit organization providing information and support for LGBTQ+ young people.
Veterans Crisis Line Dial 988 then press 1 or text 838255
Serves veterans, service members, National Guard and Reserve members, and those who support them. Responders are trained in crisis intervention and military culture.
Your Life Iowa (855) 581-8111 or text (855) 895-8398 (chat line available)
Provides free, confidential support on topics including alcohol, drugs, gambling, suicidal thoughts, and mental health.
Printable Resources
Updated Statewide Resource Brochure
Mental and behavioral health is an important issue in rural communities. Suicide rates among farmers remain higher than other occupational groups. I-CASH maintains a brochure with crisis and suicide prevention hotline information. The brochure was last updated April 2024 and includes statewide resources, hotlines, training information, and more.
Resources can be found below or download and print I-CASH’s updated Statewide Resources and Hotlines brochure for distribution.
Suicide warning signs and resources from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Iowa Telepsychology Training Clinic
Firearm Suicide & Farming
