The local news reported that the suicide rate among farmers is now higher than it is among veterans and that farmers are becoming addicted to drugs. When commodity prices are low, farmers struggle to survive financially. The independence farmers enjoy also leaves them feeling isolated when trouble strikes. Rather than reach out to others, they stay quiet and turn inward. That is the formula for a mental health breakdown. Pillars of our society are breaking down: farmers, veterans, clergy, parents, and many others who feel isolated and turn inward.

You can check me out on this, but I think most of Jesus’ healing miracles were performed on people who were looking for help. For example, “Two blind men were sitting by the roadside, and when they heard that Jesus was going by, they shouted, ‘Lord, Son of David, have mercy on us!’” (Matthew 20:30). Even these blind men knew enough to look for help.

Sometimes it is difficult to know where to look for help. But there are solutions to problems that don’t include ending one’s life. If you are struggling with depression, anxiety, and despair in any way, I am pleading with you to get help. Join a support group of people who are going through what you are. Find a qualified therapist who can help you improve your outlook on life. Ask a doctor to prescribe the right medication to rebalance your brain chemistry if that is necessary. And always cry out to Jesus, “Have mercy on me!”