Tips for Supporting a Farmer’s Mental Health
Key Takeaways
Addressing the stigma around seeking help is crucial for mental health.
Effective stress management includes prioritizing farmer health, staying connected, and seeking professional help.
Various resources and organizations are available to support farmers in managing stress.
Understanding Farm Stress
Farmers face many unique stressors. Unpredictable weather can lead to crop failures or lower yields, which affects a farmer's income. Market volatility adds financial stress by making income hard to predict.
Working in rural areas often means long hours and isolation, leading to mental fatigue. The physical demands of farming add to both mental and physical stress.
In 2021, a National American Farm Bureau Poll found that 52% of rural adults and 61% of farmers dealt with more stress than the year before. The same poll reported a 22% increase in social isolation among farmers, which affects mental health.
Addressing the Stigma Around Asking for Help
One big barrier to managing farm stress is the stigma around asking for help. Many farmers think needing help is a sign of weakness, stopping them from getting the support they need. However, seeking help shows strength, not weakness. Recognizing when you need support and taking action can greatly improve mental health and well-being.
As Tanner Hento says, “It’s okay to not be okay and talk about when you have a problem, especially to family, before something gets worse.”
Overcoming this stigma is essential for stress management for farmers. It's important to create a healthy and sustainable farming community. Cole Sonne of Sonne Farms speaks on the importance of being honest and reaching out for support.
Tips for Managing Farm Stress
Managing mental health for farmers involves several strategies:
Prioritize Mental Health: Treat mental health as important as physical health. Seek help if you feel overwhelmed.
Stay Connected: Make an effort to stay connected with family, friends, and community members to reduce feelings of isolation.
Time Management: Break tasks into manageable chunks and set realistic goals to avoid feeling overwhelmed.
Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a balanced diet, get regular exercise, and ensure adequate sleep.
Seek Professional Help: Reach out to mental health professionals who understand the unique challenges of farming.
Farming Mental Health Resources Available
Several farmer support organizations offer help to farmers dealing with stress:
Farm Rescue: This non-profit helps farm families dealing with major injury, illness, or natural disaster by offering assistance with planting, haying, harvesting, and livestock feeding. Cole Sonne is a regular volunteer for Farm Rescue. Watch his thoughts on why he supports this organization.
American Soybean Association - #SoyHelp: The ASA and other soy groups support farmers' well-being, addressing farm stress often faced by growers and their families. Their #SoyHelp resources are available to those dealing with situational stress, ongoing depression, thoughts of suicide, and more.
Farm stress is a significant issue for many producers. Recognizing the sources of stress and taking proactive steps to manage it is crucial for maintaining both mental and physical health. By using available resources and stress management strategies, farmers can handle the challenges of farming more effectively.
If you or a loved one are experiencing overwhelming stress, reach out to Avera’s Farm and Rural Stress Hotline or DIAL 988 (The Helpline Center) for support.
