Supporting farmers’ mental wellness

There is no doubt that the farming profession is unique. It combines the independent nature and risk of being a small business owner with the fundamental challenges of managing that business under a global system of supply and demand.

In recent years, the media reported on how economic factors, climate, natural disasters, and trade policies has taken a toll on farmers’ mental health. The 2020 coronavirus pandemic and related COVID-19 financial strainsopens in new window has added to farmers’ existing list of stressors and mental distress.

Some people farm out of an obligation to their families and forebearers, running century-old farms where they are third, fourth, fifth-generation farmers. They have a sense of responsibility to those who came before them and to maintain the farm for future generations. Others marry into farming and adapt and embrace an agricultural way of life.

There are farmers who can’t imagine doing anything else because it is who they are and what they feel comfortable doing, But, if you talk to farmers who are looking at the possibility that perhaps they cannot continue farming, it can be terrifying to them if they believe they are incapable of doing anything else.

Many farmers’ stressors are related to pressing financial and legal challenges. They also face complicated situations that are often out of their control, including:

• Fluctuating market prices contributes to financial concerns and instability.
• Pressures due to uncertainty over trade and tariff policies.
• Ongoing consolidation of the farming industry, which limits the number of options available to farmers for buying and selling products.
• Constantly changing production conditions, including weather, natural disaster, floods, droughts, pests, and diseases.

According to an American Farm Bureau Federation survey (PDF, 1MB)opens in new window, a strong majority of farmers/farmworkers think financial issues (91%), fear of losing the farm (87%), and farm or business problems (88%) impact the mental health of farmers.

Farmers tend to turn to their local service providers like bankers, insurers, and loan officers equipped to help with money matters but not prepared to help with emotional distress. Farm Aidopens in new window, which operates a national farmer hotline dating back to 1985, reported an increase in crisis calls in recent years. Farmers typically turn to Farm Aid’s hotline for business assistance, legal support, or help to transition into different types of production and even for crisis situations. In 2018 Farm Aid saw a 109% spike in calls over the hotline, whereas in any given year, the organization sees between a quarter to a third of the calls being crisis related.

Farmers typically don’t seek out help when they are struggling with their mental health. Common reasons include:

• Feeling like they should be able to handle any situation on their own, including emotional distress or personal struggles.
• Concerns that mental health professionals would not understand their needs or the types of problems they face due to the nature of their work as farmers (lack of cultural competency).
• Concerns that mental health care services cost too much, or that nobody will be able to help them “fix” what’s wrong.

Two in 5 farmers/farmworkers (46%) say it is difficult to access a therapist or counselor in their local community, according to the American Farm Bureau Federationopens in new window. The same survey (PDF, 1MB)opens in new window revealed that a majority of farmers/farmworkers agree cost of help or treatment (87%), embarrassment (70%), and awareness of mental health (65%) would be an obstacle if they were seeking help or treatment for a mental health condition. A majority of farmers/farmworkers view primary care doctors (81%), close friends (65%), family members (60%), and faith-based counselors as trusted sources.

Primary care providers, mental health care first responders, and psychologists can work to overcome these barriers.

• Build credibility and trust among farmers by learning the basics about agriculture, including the nature of the work they do and the types of stressors they experience because of this work.
• Consider providing services to farmers in their homes or in a neutral setting that makes the experience feel less “clinical” and improves accessibility.
• Frame mental health support and services as “behavioral health.” Many farmers are experts in animal behavior and will be more receptive to messaging that takes this expertise into account.
• Frame your work as helping farmers manage their behavior more effectively, rather than their mental health.

This fact sheet is based on content presented in an August 2019 joint webinar with APA and Farm Aid.

Additional resources are available at “Relevant Rural Articles and Reports.”