WASHINGTON, D.C. — A comprehensive campaign from the Farm Credit Council leverages resources, stories and partnerships to support rural mental health and farm stress management — during Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond.
“Rural communities face significant mental health disparities driven by various factors, including challenging economies,” said Farm Credit Council President and CEO Christy Seyfert. “Farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than the general population, and nearly five percent of rural Americans have reported serious thoughts of suicide.
“We cannot sustain our farms, ranches and rural communities without first supporting the people who run them. That’s why Farm Credit partners with organizations providing free, flexible mental health tools and resources to ensure rural Americans have the support to manage stress and stay resilient.”
Farm Credit’s farm stress management and mental health campaign encompasses a variety of resources and messaging to build a strong foundation of stigma-free support that farmers, ranchers and rural Americans can access at no cost, 24/7.
- Through the support of Farm Credit and other partners, Farm State of Mind Alliance provides complimentary resources to all farm and ranch families across the U.S.:
- Togetherall is an anonymous online support community, monitored by licensed and registered mental health clinicians and available 24/7, with an agriculture-specific sub-group.
- Personal Assistance Services (PAS) is a resource for tailored self-help courses, one-on-one coaching and counseling sessions.
- Farm Credit and partners developed Rural Resilience, a free online training course that assists rural Americans in coping with stress.
- A specialized version of Rural Resilience is tailored to the specific needs of Farm Credit loan officers and other front-line staff in high-touch positions to help them identify signs of stress and respond appropriately.
- Farm Credit supports AgriSafe in FarmResponse training, which teaches the full range of competencies to provide mental health care to agricultural producers.
- FarmResponse-trained providers are listed in the AgriStress Provider Directory, AgriSafe’s database of mental health professionals with expertise in issues affecting agricultural and rural communities, with coverage in every state.
- A new blog post on farmcredit.com explores the unique stressors of rural living and provides an overview of Farm Credit’s resources.
- American AgCredit’s documentary, “Out of the Shadows,” shares real stories highlighting the mental health crisis in rural America.
Throughout Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, Farm Credit is committed to supporting the mental health of more than 600,000 customer-owners across all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Access the full suite of resources here.
Farm Credit supports rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services, today and tomorrow. It has been fulfilling its mission of helping rural America grow and thrive for more than a century with the capital necessary to make businesses successful and by financing vital infrastructure and communication services. For more information visit www.farmcredit.com.
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