Mental Health in Agriculture: Breaking the Silence

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New light is being shed on a problem affecting our community and the industry in we which we work. This problem has often been overlooked, pushed back, misunderstood and ignored. Our community, John Deere, and our government are beginning to address and gain further insight into the mental health crisis affecting rural America. It’s no secret that times as of late have been tough on farmers. Farmers not only have to deal with the enormous financial stress caused by a low farm economy, but also the stress of unpredictable weather, caring for crops and/or livestock, physical and emotional isolation, and an often unbalanced work/personal life. Life and work and family and land and income are all intertwined in a farm business. This creates the perfect storm to allow anxiety, sadness or depression to creep in which can even lead to suicide. In addition to this, a single weather event, change in the markets, or change in federal policy can cause major stress and greatly affect a farmer’s livelihood. But that’s not the end of the story. Once we understand the farming community’s predisposition to mental health problems and extremely stressful situations, it’s important to understand what we can do to help ourselves, our neighbors and others across America.

The biggest thing we ALL can do is continue to break the stigma surrounding mental health and seeking help in times of distress. It’s important to realize these feelings are common and normal. Let’s normalize the conversation about mental health. The more accurate information available, the more people willing to share their personal stories, and the more rural mental health resources we have available are all ways we can begin to fight back and address the unique needs of our ag community.

The Furrow

In November 2018, the publication The Furrow by John Deere highlighted the growing rural mental health crisis in articles titled “Out of the Darkness” and “Rural America’s Other Mental Health Crisis.” I highly suggest looking up these articles online and giving them a read. If reading is not your thing, check out Deere’s podcast On Life and Land featuring two episodes about the topic, Out of the Darkness Part 1 and 2.

In The Furrow’s articles, author Steve Werblow draws attention to the mental health crisis affecting farmers in both the U.S. and Canada. Not only does he address the growing need and current lack of rural mental health resources (as of October 2018 the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has identified 2,692 rural “professional shortage areas” – meaning rural areas need more than 1,865 mental health providers, such as psychiatrists, psychologists, social workers, counselors, etc.), but he also examines what might be holding people back from seeking the help they need.

Bob Fetsch, a professor emeritus at Colorado State University, notes that seeking expertise to solve problems on the farm is commonplace – except when it comes to depression and other mental health problems. Farmers will seek help when it comes to precision ag technology, or from an agronomist or mechanic, but not when it comes to something as important as their own mind and well-being. Farmers have a tendency overall to just work harder or dig in their heels when the going gets tough. Their incredible tenacity in handling adversity and getting the job done is a great asset on the farm. But when it comes to mental health, ignoring problems or suppressing strong emotions will not make the situation any better but only increase destructive feelings and a sense of hopelessness in a never-ending cycle.

If you’re ready to break the cycle, the question becomes: where do I begin and what options are available? The good news is, that when addressed, mental health issues are very treatable. Seeking help today might not just mean meeting with a counselor every week, though that is a great option for some. There are other resources and ideas of what you can do to improve your own mental health, outlook and find better coping skills to deal with difficult situations, farm stressors, and emotions in a healthy way. This may include simply speaking up about your feelings and stressors on the farm to a trusted family member or friend, journaling, processing through prayer, exercising, connecting with other farmers or any combination of tactics. Find the best outlet that works for you. Be proactive about your mental health, noticing your thought patterns and emotions, and dealing with them in a healthy way before they become unmanageable.

Arukah

Another way to open communication and create connections is through groups and speakers. Located in the Illinois Valley area, Arukah Institute of Healing has recognized the need to provide resources to farmers in a rural community such as ours. Arukah recently put on a free farmer breakfast “Cultivating Healthy Minds” to reach out to farmers in the local community and start better understanding their specific needs when it comes to supporting them and providing valuable resources.

This breakfast provided an opportunity for farmers and other individuals in the ag industry to come together and begin to share their stories. The keynote speaker, Howard A. Love LCPC, CMAT, CSAT from the Antioch Group in Peoria, identified the mental health issues farmers may more commonly face (specifically the extremely high suicide rate for those working in agriculture), defined what these mental health terms actually mean, and shared resources and helpful tips to begin combating these issues. The exciting thing about this event was that it is just the beginning. Arukah is working directly with farmers and others in the farming industry to start creating resources that will benefit their mental health and make a difference in their lives. This breakfast was a great opportunity to begin the process of building new programs for farmers and initiate conversations to start breaking the stigma attached to mental health and seeking treatment, especially amidst the barriers in this industry.

Because we live in the Midwest, most of us know someone in the farming community. Family members, friends and neighbors also can help by becoming aware of the stress farmers currently face and being proactive about reaching out to those they know in the industry and offering support.

Arukah Institute of Healing and John Deere’s The Furrow, along with others in the farming community, are beginning to break the silence about these issues. Work has started to normalize the conversation about mental health and provide solutions and prevention. If you or someone you know is struggling don’t be afraid to seek help and find resources in your area you may not be aware of. You are not alone, and it is not hopeless. There is always someone willing to help; you just need to be brave and reach out. Let’s all work to #StopTheStigma

Mental Health in Agriculture: Breaking the Silence

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