America’s farms matter. Its farmers matter more.
Mental health challenges have an outsized impact on rural communities. Throughout Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond, it is essential that we prioritize farmer mental health and support those who work every day to provide the food, fiber and fuel our country relies on.
America is only as strong as its farms, and the strength of those farms starts with the farmer. When farm stress and mental health challenges arise, it is key that we meet them head on — with unwavering support, visible and accessible resources, and zero stigma.
Increased stress among farmers and ranchers
The nature of working in agriculture easily lends itself to stress and mental health challenges. Producers are subject to an array of uncontrollable factors – commodity prices fluctuate, extreme weather events disrupt a crop, global trade issues raise input costs. Each year, farmers and ranchers plant seeds and raise livestock with zero guarantee that they will turn a profit.
Operations often aren’t just a matter of profit and livelihood — they’re a multi-generation dairy farm, or staple source of fresh, local produce for a community. Challenges can feel even more daunting when legacy and community are interwoven with the already-challenging work of production agriculture.
Throughout it all, many farmers and ranchers experience the same issues as their neighbors in rural communities, including physical isolation and a lack of professionals and resources. Compounded with existing stressors, these circumstances can develop into challenges that feel insurmountable.
The importance of visible, accessible resources
In highly stressful situations, it may be incredibly difficult to seek help. Resources can feel inaccessible, and perceived stigma around mental health can convince someone to keep their hardships to themselves. Our producers and rural communities need — and deserve — accessible and reliable support.
Recognizing this, and the severe impact of mental health issues in rural America, Farm Credit has made it a priority to partner with organizations providing resources that help farmers and ranchers manage stress and improve their mental health.
Farm Credit is a proud partner of the Farm State of Mind Alliance, created to address the lack of mental health resources in rural areas.
The Alliance offers tools to meet a variety of needs: Togetherall and Personal Assistance Services. Farm Credit, along with the support of other partners, has made both completely free for all users.
Togetherall is a safe, peer-to-peer online support community available 24/7 and completely anonymous. There is an agriculture-specific subgroup for farmers and ranchers to discuss stressors unique to the industry. The platform is monitored by licensed and registered clinicians who ensure the safety and anonymity of members.
Personal Assistance Services is a resource for tailored self-help courses covering topics such as anxiety, sleep, depression, and more. Individuals can also access one-on-one coaching and counseling sessions.
Anyone can find and use these resources at farmcredit.com under our Managing Farm Stress tab.
Farm Credit and partners also developed Rural Resilience, a free, private, online training course which assists farmers, their families and neighbors in coping with stress.
This tailored curriculum teaches participants to understand the sources of stress, manage their own stress, learn the warning signs of stress and suicide, and identify effective communication and coping strategies. It also connects farmers and ranchers with appropriate mental health professionals and resources. The course is free and accessible to the public.
Taking the project a step further, Farm Credit created a specialized version of Rural Resilience tailored to the specific needs of Farm Credit loan officers and other front-line staff. Given the high-touch nature of Farm Credit employees with our customers, we have an opportunity to help producers when they may need it most. This course can also be accessed through farmcredit.com.
Farm Credit is also proud to support AgriSafe in their efforts to train practitioners in FarmResponse training. This continuing education course teaches the full range of competencies necessary to provide appropriate mental health care to agricultural producers and their families.
FarmResponse-trained providers are listed in the AgriStress Provider Directory, AgriSafe’s searchable, online database developed as a resource for producers and their families to identify mental health professionals who have expertise in issues affecting agricultural and rural communities. The first of its kind, the AgriStress Provider Directory now includes coverage in every state.
Consistent support is key
When you feel better, you farm better. Farm Credit is committed to supporting access to critical resources for producers and rural Americans. If these efforts protect even one life or livelihood, they will be worth it.
Everyone faces stress and mental health challenges throughout their lives, but farmers navigate high-stakes pressures and challenges repeatedly. We must build deep support networks and flexible, easy-to-use resources within our rural communities to meet these challenges head-on. When a crisis strikes, it is imperative that life-saving help is immediate, accessible and effective.
Building healthy farms is good — building up healthy farmers is crucial. If you are navigating mental health challenges, please know you are not alone. Dedicated people who want to support you, and proven, free resources, are ready to help. Visit the Managing Farm Stress tab on the farmcredit.com website to get support now.
