Rural Minds launches new farmer mental health resilience program

In time for National Ag Day on March 24, the nonprofit Rural Minds announces the launch of the new Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program in support of mental wellness for farmers and farm families. This critical new initiative aims to support the ag community by providing farmers and the individuals who support them with confidential, online access to practical and reliable mental health resources at no cost. It is made possible through founding sponsorship by VM Agritech, a biochemistry company with a mission to protect the future of agriculture and global health. The Rural Mental Health Crisis Farmers face unique pressures that can increase stress, anxiety, depression, substance use and suicide risk. In fact, farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide compared to the general population. “In the best of years, farmers face a tremendous amount of uncertainty ranging from financial uncertainty to weather volatility,” said Jeff Winton, founder and chair of Rural Minds. “When these ongoing pressures are elevated by high input costs, trade volatility and worries about labor and immigration, stress levels can spiral out of control. And getting the help farmers need is often complicated by many factors such as limited access to mental healthcare, privacy concerns, stigma and a rural culture of self-reliance rather than asking for help.” The Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program In line with the mission of Rural Minds to provide educational content to promote mental wellness and confront the stigma that can surround mental illness in rural communities, the new Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program is designed to help farmers, ag workers and their family and friends better understand mental health, start meaningful conversations and recognize when someone may need help. “At our confidential and free-to-use program website, www.ruralminds.org/farmerresilience , visitors can find fact sheets about common mental health conditions that can impact farmers,” Winton said. “We also offer a free online mental health and suicide prevention course developed in partnership with Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, and links to resources and organizations where farmers and their families can find help and support.”