Sen. Ingwersen to introduce bill to promote mental health and wellness in heritage industries

AUGUSTA — When the 132nd Maine Legislature reconvenes in January, Sen. Henry Ingwersen, D-Arundel, will introduce legislation to address the mental health needs of Maine’s hardworking farmers, food producers, fisherman and loggers. “Resolve, to Establish a Working Group to Prioritize Mental Health and Wellness Resources Within Maine’s Heritage Industries,” was approved for introduction in the Legislature’s Second Regular Session by a majority of the Legislative Council in a November 20 meeting.

“As the Senate chair of the Health and Human Services Committee and a member of the Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Committee, I’ve had a front row seat to the ways health intersects with our heritage industries,” said Sen. Ingwersen. “We all know that farming, fishing and logging are physically demanding industries. But there is less awareness of the significant mental strain on these workers, which leads to burnout, stress — or worse. It is critical that we take care of the people who power our economy, help us put food on tables and provide the material to build our homes.”

As proposed, the bill would create a working group to convene and work on policy recommendations to address the mental health needs of Maine’s workers in heritage industries.

This year, Sen. Ingwersen attended and spoke at Maine’s first-ever Land and Sea Farmer Wellness Forum, which was rooted in the work of The University of Maine Cooperative Extension.

Recently, the Extension conducted a survey, revealing that 61% of respondents from agriculture, aquaculture and wild-harvest fisheries identified the need for increased public education to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. Suicide rates remain higher for agriculture, fishing and forestry occupation groups. Many farmers and fishermen have no employer-provided health insurance.

New legislation in the Second Regular Session of the Maine Legislature must be approved for introduction by the Legislative Council, which is made up of the Democratic and Republican leaders in the Maine Senate and House of Representatives.

The Legislature is set to reconvene for the Second Regular Session on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

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