Farming is rewarding but comes with unique challenges. These include everything from financial pressures and unpredictable weather to long hours and physical demands. For farmers and ranchers, recognizing the signs of stress – whether emotional, physical or mental – is essential to maintaining well-being. 

When loved ones, neighbors or others you care about are experiencing mental health challenges, they may not even realize it. Here’s how you can identify someone who may be at risk.

  • Change in routines or social activities
  • Decline in the care of domestic animals
  • Decline in appearance of the farmstead
  • Decreased interest in activities or events
  • Increase in illness or other chronic conditions
  • Increase in farm incidents

Resources that can help include counseling services, support networks and stress management programs. 

The Farm State of Mind Resource Directory is a great jumping off point to find national, regional and state mental health resources. 

Togetherall is an anonymous peer-to-peer online community that empowers farmers and their families to get and give support. Signing up is easy and anonymous, ensuring privacy and confidentiality.?And access is free-of-charge for farm family members age 16+. To sign up, visit click HERE. 

We should all remember that it is important to break the stigma around mental health challenges and encourage those struggling to reach out for help. We’re all in this together and supporting each other through difficult times is what makes us stronger.?