New Website Provides Mental Health Resources for Connecticut Farmers
Sponsored by Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s FRSAN
Farmers in Connecticut have a lot to worry about, from unpredictable weather and financial pressures to low market prices, equipment breakdowns and animal health.
They also tend to suffer in silence rather than asking for help.
The Connecticut Department of Agriculture (CT DoAg) recognized this struggle and applied to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), a federal program that connects people who work in agriculture to stress assistance programs when they are going through challenging times.
This enabled CT DoAg to develop a comprehensive program to help producers cope with stress, anxiety and depression. A compilation of mental health resources for those working in agriculture are available on a new website, CTFarmStressRelief.com.
The addition of AgriStress Helpline in Connecticut offers farmers a free, confidential crisis and support line, available to call or text 24/7 with interpretation in multiple languages. Trained professionals staff the helpline, offering support, including mental health and agriculture-related resources.
In 2023, Connecticut’s AgriStress Helpline handled a total of 44 calls and texts from farmers.
“Connecticut’s farming community is resilient, but there are instances when additional help is needed to handle the extenuating challenges present in agriculture,” says Agriculture Commissioner Bryan P. Hurlburt. “By standing up these programs and resources, we can assist farm owners, employees and family members during their most vulnerable moments.”
Becca Toms works as communications coordinator for UConn Extension and is a farmer who contributed content for the website.
“There is something really therapeutic about farming, which is why a lot of farmers get into it because it fills a gap in their lives, but what isn’t talked about is all the stress and struggle that comes along with it,” Toms says. “Farmers in the U.S. have a relatively high suicide rate compared to other occupations. We need to be aware of this and be sure we are talking about how we can prevent it.”
See more: USDA Grant Connects Food-Insecure Individuals With Connecticut-Grown Foods
If You Need Help Now
AgriStress Helpline for Connecticut: 833.897.2474 call or text
Connect to Mental Health Resources for CT Farms & Farm Families: CTFarmStressRelief.com
This work is supported by the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Grant, grant no: 2021-70035-3555, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
Sponsored by Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s FRSAN