Rural Health

Farming is a stressful occupation that is associated with increased levels of anxiety and depression. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and to help promote awareness on this important topic, county Farm Bureau’s will have access to a toolkit provided by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF). These materials focus on AFBF’s Farm State of Mind and Togetherall programs. Farm State of Mind is a campaign that builds awareness to reduce stigma and provide access to information and resources that promote farmer and rancher mental health awareness. Togetherall is a safe, anonymous online peer-to-peer community that is accessible 24/7 and moderated around the clock by licensed mental health professionals.

According to AFBF’s Farm State of Mind website, multiple studies show that farmer suicide rates are 2-5x higher than the national average. Experiences such as natural disasters, extreme weather events, financial uncertainty, fluctuating markets, labor shortages, trade disruptions and other factors all contribute to extreme stress for farmers and ranchers who often live in a very isolated setting. It is important to break the stigma around mental health challenges and encourage those struggling to reach out for help.

For more information or questions, please contact Jennifer Craig at Jennifer.craig@arfb.com or 501-228-1269.

Weathering the Storm

This Mental Health Awareness Month, remember that a healthy farm or ranch starts with a healthy you. Farmers are experts at checking in on their crops, livestock and equipment, but checking in on your own personal wellbeing is just as important. Farmers and ranchers don’t have to weather the storm alone. For nearly a decade since its inception, the Farm State of Mind initiative has focused on reducing the stigma around mental health and providing tools to help farmers, ranchers and their families. American Farm Bureau is unveiling a new resource dedicated to helping farmers and ranchers consider how to respond when stress becomes overwhelming and they don’t know what to do. It’s called the Farm State of Mind Checklist: Weathering the Storm.