By Jeff Winton | Founder and Chairman – Rural Minds
All too many people in America have been affected by suicide, whether a family member or a friend. In the U.S., the suicide rate remains at a historically high level. And it’s worse in rural America. According to the latest information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), suicide rates among people living in rural areas are 64 to 68 percent higher than those in large urban areas, and farmers are twice as likely to take their own lives compared to workers in other professions.
For family and friends left behind, it’s devastating, but it’s nearly unimaginable the pain a person must have experienced to drive them to suicide. The suicide of my 28-year-old nephew was a wake-up call for me and led to the founding of Rural Minds to address mental health issues in rural America.
Now we hear that the Administration is considering cuts to the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline as part of funding cuts in next year’s budget for mental health, initially by eliminating the specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth. Where does it end? Will there be more cuts envisioned?
This is a poorly considered effort. Help for those considering suicide should be available for everyone. In a remarkably short time, since 2022, the 988 program has been highly successful, particularly for rural Americans. As of mid-March 2025, more than 14.5 million people have called, texted, or sent chats to the 988 Lifeline and have been transferred to a crisis contact center. Monthly contacts to 988 have exceeded half a million – a significant increase from previous years.
The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is critically important to rural residents in the U.S. for several key reasons. Rural communities often face severe shortages of mental health professionals and treatment facilities. Many areas may have no psychiatrist or counselor within a reasonable driving distance. The 988 hotline is free and confidential, providing immediate, 24/7 access to crisis support via phone, chat, or text — bridging that service gap. It is also focused on identifying local resources for callers after the crisis has passed.
We need to retain ALL aspects of the 988 Suicide Prevention and Crisis Lifeline for ALL people in rural America.
As budget discussions go on between the Administration and Congress for the next budget cycle, it’s essential to contact your senators and members of Congress to urge them not to cut any money from the budget for the 988 program.
Please join me in making our voices heard. I urge you to contact your U.S. Senators and Representati
