Mental Health Resources for Farmers
Although farming is one of the most rewarding occupations, everyday life can be full of stress and anxiety. From extreme weather events and pandemic impacts to fluctuating commodity prices, labor stresses, and so much more, farmers and ranchers today face increased mental health challenges. In an American Farm Bureau Federation poll of rural adults, 61 percent of farmers and farmworkers reported experiencing more stress and mental health challenges in 2021 than in 2020.
Despite this, affordable mental health support services are less available and accessible in rural areas. As a result, farmer advocacy groups across the nation have developed online mental health resources for individuals engaged in farming, ranching, or other agriculture-related occupations.
If you or someone you know is struggling, the resources below may be helpful.
AgriStress Helpline
The AgriStress Helpline is a crisis response and resource line available to agricultural communities in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Missouri, Montana, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wyoming.
AgWell
This strategic initiative by the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union features state-specific mental health, financial, and medical or injury resources for people in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.
American Farm Bureau Federation Farm State of Mind
Directory of rural mental health resources in every U.S. state and Puerto Rico.
Includes warning signs of mental health challenges, steps to help, and conversation starters.
American Psychological Association
Interactive website that helps identify unique stressors facing farmers and resources that assist in managing stress and finding help.
ATTRA
Appropriate Technology Transfer for Rural Areas has a dedicated website section on farmer well-being that includes crisis-hotline contact information and an interactive map of resources for farmer stress assistance.
Avera Farm and Rural Stress Hotline
Hotline where farmers can talk to a skilled, compassionate mental health professional (1-800-691-4336).
Disaster Distress Helpline
The Disaster Distress Helpline is the first national hotline dedicated to providing year-round disaster crisis counseling. This toll-free, multilingual crisis-support service is available 24/7 in the United States and its territories to all residents experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
Farm Aid’s Farmer Resource Guides
The Farm Aid Hotline Team has compiled resource guides for several important topics that they hear about from farmers again and again, including farm stress and disaster support. The Farm Stress and Disaster Assistance for Farmers guides provide resources and cover farm-stress prevention and disaster preparation and response.
Farm First Farmer Peer Network
The Vermont-based farmers in this network are trained in listening skills, problem-solving, and resiliency-building to help other farmers get through rough spots and can help access resources available through Farm First, including counseling.
Farm Well Wisconsin
Tips and tricks for wellness, including great trainings and workshops on eating and sleeping well, managing stress, staying fit, and preventing injury.
Features a video with Dan Wegmueller, a fourth-generation dairy farmer and the host of the podcast Farm for Thought.
Midwest Vegetable Growers Network
MVEG’s catalog of farmer resiliency and mental health resources supports farmers in navigating farm-stress-related mental health challenges. Resource topics include mental health, farm and financial planning, physical health, emergency and crisis management, and farm safety.
Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline
This helpline connects Minnesota farmers with resources for crisis situations; daily living support; and business, financial, and legal help.
Mississippi State University PROMISE Initiative
Program that adopted the Mental Health First Aid program to assist farmers dealing with mental health issues and opioid misuse.
MSU Managing Farm Stress (Teletherapy Program)
Partnership with Pine Rest Mental Health Services providing mental health help and support to farmers, families, and workers.
National Farmers Union Farm Stress Resources
Collection of national and local resources.
UMASH Stress and Mental Health
Resources specific to the Midwest.
Contains pamphlets with signs and symptoms of stress, a toolkit for cultivating resilience in rural communities, and recorded webinars.
USDA Farm Stress Resources
Comprehensive list of resources, including each of the regional Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) websites.
Raising Hope Kentucky
This organization aims to promote the physical and mental health and safety of Kentucky’s farmers and farm families. They offer mental health resources for farmers, as well as educational resources for communities to support their local farmers.
Real Farmer Care
The program provides $100 stipends to help farmers prioritize their self-care needs. They center the voices of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, people of color) farmers, who make up 50% of their recipients, and LGBTQ+ farmers.
Rural Health Information Hub
This hub offers evidence-based toolkits to help rural communities prevent suicide and implement mental health programs.
Farmer Letters on Mental Health
Dan Wegmueller is a fourth-generation Wisconsin farmer working on building a multigenerational legacy of sustainability and conservation. In his letter below, he discusses the challenges of the farming business, how he has fought the pressure to expand and industrialize his farm, and the endless demands his father faced growing corn and soybeans. His story demonstrates the experience of many U.S. farmers today who face generational challenges in farming and the importance of breaking the cycle to pursue more sustainable farming methods.
For immediate mental health needs, contact the following:
Farm Aid Hotline
Dial 800-FARM-AID (327-6243)
Monday through Friday, 9–5 p.m. Eastern
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Dial 988
24/7
Live online chat
Other Resources
Greener Pastures is a documentary about mental health in rural areas focusing on four midwestern families as they persevere through climate change, industrialization, and mental health crises. The accompanying educational discussion guide provides statistics on the U.S. farming crisis, a discussion framework, and other resources.
On the Farm is a documentary created to raise awareness about the unique challenges farmers face and their impact on farmers’ well-being.
Preventing Farmer Suicide: Collaboration and Communication
In this video, experts from national farm organizations discuss the challenges facing today’s farmers, warning signs of suicide, and how communities can help farmers and their families.