Mental Health Resources for Farmers

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Wisconsin Strong – Mental Health

“The farming community has always been – lace up your boot straps and go do it again,” said Ben Huber, a Green County agronomist. But what happens when that way of thinking isn’t enough. As any farmer or rancher can tell you, farm life can be demanding and stressful. It’s even tougher now with trade wars, natural disasters, depressed commodity prices, labor shortages and many other issues weighing heavily on the farm economy. Given these challenges, more and more farmers today are experiencing stress and mental health issues, either directly or by having a friend or family member in distress.

Never underestimate the power of a conversation. Farmers are under a great deal of stress and a simple conversation just might be the dose of positivity your neighbor needs to make it through a tough day. Stop by with a snack, meal or just a friendly conversation.

Rural Mutual Insurance promises to protect Wisconsin farms, families and businesses and to help rebuild following times of unintended loss. We also understand that not all losses are physical and recognize the importance of Mental Health during these times as well.

If you or someone you know is struggling, reach out to a close friend or family member. People want to help, all you have to do is be open to having a conversation.

“PLACE YOUR HAND OVER YOUR HEART, CAN YOU FEEL IT? THAT IS CALLED PURPOSE. YOU’RE ALIVE FOR A REASON SO DON’T EVER GIVE UP.”

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Call 1-800-273-8255 – Available 24 hours everyday

Warning Signs of Stress

When someone is experiencing a mental health challenge, they may not even realize it. Here’s how you can identify someone who may be at risk.

Change in routines
A decline in the care of domestic animals
Increase in illness
Increase in farm accidents
A decline in the appearance of farmstead
Signs of stress in children
Decreased interest

Five Steps to Help Someone at Risk

Ask
Keep them safe
Be there
Help them connect
Follow up

If you know someone or even suspect someone is struggling, you don’t have to go at this alone. There are great resources to help you and anyone in need. Just pick up the phone and call.

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Farm Neighbors Care

Farm Neighbors Care is a social media campaign to support our farmers who are facing stress due to low market prices, poor weather and crop conditions, etc. Farming can be an isolating career, especially if other family members work off the farm. It is important to check in on your friends, neighbors, and family members to gauge how they are doing and offer support and a listening ear.

The campaign asks rural residents to have face-to-face conversations with farmers and agri-business owners. For some, this conversation and check-in may be the dose of positivity needed to make it through a tough day. Want to learn more about the Farm Neighbors Care campaign, or be included on the email list? Contact Wendy Kannel via email at wkannel@wfbf.com or phone call at 608.828.5719.

Shareable Social Media Graphics

Consider using these graphics to share more about mental health resources available to farmers, spotting the signs of chronic stress and depression, and break down the stigma associated with mental health in rural communities.

Download Graphics

Rural Resilience

American Farm Bureau Federation

The American Farm Bureau Federation supports the Seeding Rural Resilience Act sponsored by Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), which is designed to help farmers respond to stress and decrease the stigma associated with mental health care in rural communities.

Rural Resilience Training Program developed by Michigan State University Extension in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union, and Farm Credit, the online training program is designed for individuals who interact with farmers and ranchers to help recognize signs of stress and offer resources.

“This free training comes at the perfect time and provides Farm Bureau staff and members a meaningful way to make a difference in their communities,” said RJ Karney, AFBF director of congressional relations.

The program will give participants the skills to understand the sources of stress, learn the warning signs of stress and suicide, identify effective communication strategies, reduce stigma related to mental health concerns and connect farmers and ranchers with appropriate mental health and other resources. The training takes about 4-5 hours to complete and can be done over multiple sessions.

TUGS

Talking. Understanding. Growing. Supporting

Even big ships need a little help sometimes.

TUGS is a nonprofit community organization founded in 2013 with a singular mission: to address the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and suicide, particularly among those members of our society who find it most difficult to accept and express their very real personal struggles and professional frustrations. We work directly with individuals and in partnership with other community groups to promote both mental health awareness and suicide prevention.

Also, look to join the TUGS Community group on Facebook to share local and virtual resources during this difficult time. Our goal is to help you help each other! We hope you’ll add to the list whenever you happen across something that might benefit the community. Visit Us on Facebook

Rural Realities Podcast

The ‘Rural Realities‘ podcast series provides information and resources related to stress and challenges facing farmers and farm families. One of the primary goals of the podcast is to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues in rural communities. The podcast is brought to you by the Wisconsin Farm Center.

Click here to listen.

Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Farmer Wellness Program

Farming brings unique challenges, be it weather, markets, or labor shortages. While stress is a part of life, prolonged and increasing amounts can negatively impact overall wellness, even leading to depression or anxiety.

When stress is high and you need someone to turn to, the Farmer Wellness Program can assist. It is designed to provide farmers and their families access to services that can help them navigate life’s challenges.

Online Farm Culture Training for Agricultural Service Providers

Register here: https://bit.ly/3Jo2lyg

This is a free virtual course to help agricultural service providers understand the unique stresses and challenges of farming, handle difficult conversations, and recognize signs and symptoms of stress with farm clients.

Ag lenders, milk haulers, nutritionists, veterinarians, farm equipment technicians, and others that provide services to farmers regularly are encouraged to take the training. Each module includes a 15 to 20-minute video presentation followed by interactive questions. The course is self-paced and modules can be viewed in any order.

Online Farmer and Farm Couple Support Groups

8 p.m. | 2nd Tuesday of every month
Register at https://bit.ly/3IDEVpj

8 p.m. | 4th Monday of every month
Register at https://bit.ly/2KI2ftd

Focused on bringing farmers and farm couples together in a safe space to share challenges and offer encouragement, comfort, and advice.

Counsel Services

24/7 Farmer Wellness Helpline: (888) 901-2558

Whether you are exhibiting symptoms of depression or anxiety, having suicidal thoughts, or just need a welcoming ear to talk to, the 24/7 Farmer Wellness Helpline is available to provide free, confidential, and immediate support any day, any time. Helpline representatives can also make referrals to Farmer Wellness Tele-Counseling Sessions or the Counseling Voucher Program for ongoing, long-term support.

If you are feeling suicidal, contact the hotline or 9-1-1 immediately.

Tele-Counseling/Telehealth

Farmers and their family members can receive free, confidential, and unlimited sessions from a licensed mental health professional online or by phone. Sessions can be requested by contacting the 24/7 Farmer Wellness Helpline at (888) 901-2558.

Counseling Vouchers

Farmers and farm family members can obtain in-person counseling services from a participating mental health provider in their local area at no cost. Vouchers can be requested by contacting the Wisconsin Farm Center Helpline at (800) 942-2474.

Core Programs

Financial Planning
Farm Succession
Conflict Mediation
Herd Based Diagnostics
Farm Outreach
Organics, Grazing, and Specialty Crops
Counseling

Farmer Angel Network

The Farmer Angel Network is a collaboration of Sauk County Public Health, Sauk County UWEX, Project Recovery, local churches, and concerned farmers whose goal is to support area farmers through a time of depressed farm income, challenging cropping season, and the highest rate of farm bankruptcies and exits since the 1930s. Mental Health awareness and support resources are the key focus of this effort.

Early in 2019, a series of 3 Farm Stress & Suicide Awareness programs were held at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, Loganville, as an effort to address the immediate needs of local farmers and agribusiness personnel.

The Farmer Angel Network has since been formed to continue to support area farmers and educate the public about the issues farmers are facing. Check out the Farmers Angel Network Facebook page to learn more.

Great Rivers 2-1-1

Get Connected. Get Help

At different points in our lives, we can all use a little help—whether it’s parenting concerns, putting food on the table, dealing with an abusive situation, or just making ends meet. But we don’t always know when—or where—to ask for that help. Great Rivers 2-1-1 is a place to make the connections that can help you find answers and prevent problems from getting more serious. Using a comprehensive resource database, 2-1-1 Information and referral specialists will listen to your concerns, help you make informed decisions and link you to the most appropriate community resources.

Service Area

Great Rivers 2-1-1 serves 21 counties in Southwest Wisconsin, Southeast Minnesota and Northeast Iowa.

Wisconsin: Buffalo, Chippewa, Crawford, Dunn, Eau Claire, Grant, Jackson, La Crosse, Monroe, Pepin, Richland, Trempealeau and Vernon counties
Minnesota: Houston, Fillmore and Winona counties
Iowa: Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette, Howard and Winneshiek counties

Great Rivers 2-1-1 also operates three Public Health Hotlines for the state of Wisconsin. These hotlines provide information regarding public benefits and other resources for women, children, and families of children with special needs statewide.

Mental Health Resources for Farmers

Wisconsin Strong – Mental Health

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Warning Signs of Stress

Five Steps to Help Someone at Risk

Wisconsin Farm Bureau Federation

Farm Neighbors Care

Shareable Social Media Graphics

Rural Resilience

American Farm Bureau Federation

TUGS

Talking. Understanding. Growing. Supporting

Even big ships need a little help sometimes.

Rural Realities Podcast

Dept. of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection

Farmer Wellness Program

Online Farm Culture Training for Agricultural Service Providers

Online Farmer and Farm Couple Support Group​s​

Counsel​ Services​​

Core Programs

Farmer Angel Network

Farmer Angel Network

Great Rivers 2-1-1

Get Connected. Get Help

Service Area

Online Farmer and Farm Couple Support Groups

Counsel Services