Farmers and farm families are not alone in their struggles with stress, depression and other mental health challenges. If you are a farmer who needs to talk to someone directly, or if you are worried about a farmer, there are several resources available:
• Call the national Farm Aid farmer hotline at 1-800-FARM-AID. Staff answer the hotline Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. You can also learn more by going online.
• Not sure who to call in times of crisis? The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can connect you with the crisis center closest to you. Calls are confidential and free. Call 800-273-TALK (8255) or visit suicidepreventionlifeline.org. Comments about suicide should never be discounted. If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, call.
• Sign up for Friday’s webinar, “Suicide and the agriculture way of life: What you need to know.” Details and registration are available online.
• Find out what your state is doing to prevent suicide. This includes state suicide prevention plans, state data and how to contact people involved in suicide prevention in your state. Learn more at sprc.org/states.
• Prefer text over talking in times of crisis? There are many referral resources for texters to move from “hot moments” to a “cool calm.” Check out the Crisis Text line. Text NAMI, TALK or HELLO to 741-741. Or visit crisistextline.org/referrals to learn more.
• Living on a farm is a busy lifestyle. If you are trying to care for your mind, body and soul yet still feel like you are struggling with your mental health, visit mhascreening.org to check your symptoms. The screening is free AND confidential.
• Check with your local Extension office and county mental health services for additional resources.
New resources, video
The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center has been working on various mental health resources. Two recent efforts are a new video that discusses mental health and graphics to help communicate information about it.
The video serves as a conversation starter for mental health issues. Highlights include health statistics associated with mental health; factors contributing to farmer stress including finances, isolation, and regulation; signs and symptoms of chronic stress which can lead to anxiety, depression, and substance abuse; and resources for assisting those affected.
The mental health motion graphic (below) was produced by the Ag Health and Safety Alliance as a partner project funded by UMASH.
For additional resources on stress and other farm health and safety topics, visit umash.umn.edu.
The Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center is funded by a cooperative agreement from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health.
