American Farm Bureau Farm State of Mind Campaign

The American Farm Bureau Farm State of Mind campaign builds awareness to reduce stigma and provides access to information and resources that promote farmer and rancher mental health wellness.

Farming is a stressful occupation that is associated with increased levels of anxiety and depression. Multiple studies show that farmer suicide rates are 2-5x 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.

Resources include:

• Farm State of Mind Resource Directory, a searchable listing of state and national resources for those who need help or know someone who does
• Togetherall, an anonymous peer-to-peer online community that empowers farmers and their families to get and give support
• Rural Resilience Training, a program to help understand the sources of stress, identify effective communication strategies, reduce stigma related to mental health, and learn the warning signs of stress and suicide
• Farm Town Strong, a campaign to connect people struggling with opioid addiction and misuse to treatment, prevention, and disposal resources as well as emergency hotlines

Click the button below to access these resources and find more helpful tips, research, training, and support specifically designed for farmers and rural communities.

NC Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network

The North Carolina Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN-NC) is a partnership that connects farmers, ranchers, and others working in agriculture-related settings with stress assistance programs and resources. These connections help to improve the physical and emotional wellbeing of our state’s agricultural workforce. Programs and resources include:

• Free Training on the signs, symptoms, and management of farm-related stress as well as suicide prevention training (e.g., Mental Health First Aid, QPR, ASIST, etc.)
• Agricultural Behavioral Healthcare to help farm families manage stress, understand anxiety and depression, manage symptoms of grief and loss, and find better ways to communicate
• Farm Health Connectors who help identify community resources to assist with physical, social, and spiritual issues causing stress (available in Anson, Duplin, Pitt, Robeson, and Wilkes counties)
• Farmer to Farmer connects community members with specially trained members of the farming community who provide confidential, non-judgmental peer support
• Women in Agriculture, a network where farm women come together to share how stress has affected their families and to learn tools necessary for managing day-to-day stressors
• Farm Theater presents issues surrounding farm-related stress, safety, and health using a short script read by members of the community followed by a brief facilitated discussion
• NC Farm Helpline is available 24/7 to connect individuals experiencing crisis or in need of other help with resources including mental health, financial, legal, farm safety/health, and more

Click the button below to visit the FRSAN-NC website for information on existing resources, crisis lines, training, support groups, upcoming events, and farm finance.