Indiana Outreach Programs Help Farmers Improve Their Mental Health
In partnership with: Indiana State Department of Agriculture
Even when the weather and financial markets cooperate, farming has its highs and lows, its inherent risks and rewards that continually impact a farmer’s mental health.
The unique stressors of farming can cause chronic health issues, mental health issues and even suicide, so many organizations are stepping up to provide farmers the resources they need.
“Probably one of the biggest driving factors of stress is not knowing what the price is going to be for your harvest,” says Elysia Rodgers, Purdue DeKalb County Extension director and Purdue Farm Stress Team publicity chair. Supply shortages and increasing costs, especially for fertilizer, also cut into profits.
The Purdue Extension Farm Stress Team is shining a light on the stigma around mental health in agriculture and giving farmers resources to help cope with stress on the farm.
Farmers and their families face many stressors, including unpredictable weather and equipment breakdowns, fluctuating prices for seed and supplies, and ever-changing governmental trade policies.
Farmers often work with family members or feel obligated to carry on the multigenerational family farm. And it’s a dangerous and isolating occupation.
“There are a lot of challenges and uncertainties that come with farming practices,” Rodgers says. “You never know what you are going to get on a day-to-day basis.”
The Farm Stress Team attended training at Michigan State University in 2019 with the intent of delivering farmer-focused mental health programs in Indiana.
“We have recognized that we need to start talking about it and breaking that stigma to make it a more common topic to discuss,” Rodgers says.
Some of the Indiana programs include Communicating with Farmers Under Stress, for those who work with farmers and producers, and Weathering the Storm in Agriculture, a 60-minute training for farmers and their families covering signs and symptoms of chronic stress, how to recognize mental health concerns, and where to go for help.
The Farm Stress Team has additional mental health resources online, developed a podcast series and hosts trainings throughout the year. The team continues to collaborate with new partners and develop mental health awareness materials that can be distributed to farmers, processors, meat packing facilities and others.
Many resources are available to farmers, including the new national 988 suicide and crisis lifeline.
“I think stress is always an issue when we’re talking about agriculture, even in the good years, from getting the seed in the ground to watching that plant grow to when it gets harvested,” Rodgers says. “We can do everything right, but Mother Nature can always throw us a curveball.”
Feeling stressed?
The Purdue Extension Farm Stress Team resource page has many resources for mental health help for farmers: extension.purdue.edu/farmstress/helpful-links.
- Farm Stress Team events: extension.purdue.edu/ farmstress/farm-stressevents
- North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center, Indiana: farmstress.org/indiana
- Agrisafe Network: agrisafe.org
- American Farm Bureau Federation Farm State of Mind: fb.org/land/fsom
- American Psychological Association Farmer Stress: apa.org/news/events/farmer
- National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 or visit
For more information or to schedule a training, visit extension.purdue.edu/ farmstress.
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