American Farm Bureau Federation’s (AFBF) five-part video series will offer real-world insights and grassroots strategies designed to improve farmer mental health in rural communities.
This September, in observance of Suicide Prevention Month, AFBF’s Farm State of Mind launched the video series “Finding Hope Together: A Farm State of Mind Insights Series” to share how each farmer can help build stronger, healthier communities.
The first two episodes are already live here and here.
Subscribe to watch new episodes, which premiere every Wednesday in September.
Each video features a conversation with leading rural mental health advocates, with the conversations moderated by Lydia Johnson, a veteran farm broadcast journalist who now works as a policy communications manager at Farm Credit Council.
“Anyone looking to support mental health well-being in rural America can benefit from this resource,” said AFBF, noting that studies show farmer suicide rates are two to five times higher than the national average.
“Experiences such as natural disasters, extreme weather events, financial uncertainty, fluctuating markets, labor shortages, trade disruptions and other factors all contribute to extreme stress for farmers and ranchers who often live in a very isolated setting. It is important to break the stigma around mental health challenges and encourage those struggling to reach out for help. To build a sustainable future for agriculture for our nation and our world, we must promote the wellbeing of our nation’s farmers and ranchers.”
Michigan Farm Bureau members can learn more about stress and mental health here. Signs of farm stress include changes in routine, a decline in the care of domestic animals, and an increase in farmer illness.
MSU Extension also offers a training toolkit here.