Be advised that this post contains explicit mention of mental health challenges. Please take care of yourself accordingly.
Anyone who’s spent a day in the field or time with livestock knows that farming is a profession marked by high stress, long hours, and significant emotional tolls. While people often talk about the physical toll this profession takes, mental health is a frequently overlooked aspect of farming.
The reality is that farming involves much more than planting and harvesting — it’s a complex business that requires extensive knowledge and a variety of skills. The romanticized image of rural life contradicts the difficulties farmers face with weather, market prices, machinery, and more. That stress is compounded by the fact that many farmers operate in isolation, working from sunup to sundown with little to no support.
This can erode the mental well-being of farmers and ranchers.
The cultural norms within the farming community often discourage open discussions about mental health, which contributes to an unfortunate and misguided stigma that can prevent farmers from seeking help. It’s important for farmers and ranchers to break the cycle of internalizing their stress and fears and instead ask for help and talk about their struggles to avoid these negative consequences.
Mental health affects how one loves, how one works, and how one handles stress.
Ted Matthews, the director of MN Rural Mental Health in Minnesota, identifies a significant challenge for farmers in accessing mental health services.
He noted that it’s often less a shortage of mental health professionals, but rather the difficulty in accessing their services in a timely manner. He said the delays introduced by insurance protocols extend the wait times, making it harder for farmers to receive mental health care when they need it most.
“It takes insurance companies three to six weeks to approve your appointment, and then it takes another two weeks to actually get an appointment with a therapist,” he said.
Poor mental health can manifest in different ways, but if left unattended, it can result in farm accidents, growing inattentiveness, substance abuse problems, suicidal thoughts, mismanagement of farm finances, distancing from loved ones, physical afflictions, trouble sleeping, and an increase in isolation.
Matthews’ program is designed to speak to farmers who are in need without any of the paperwork or red tape that’s required from most mental health institutions.
“Most people are surprised to know that the number on my website is my actual cell phone number,” he noted. “Sometimes all people need is five minutes to talk to someone about their problems.”
One of the most visible ways that stress and other extreme mental wellness issues manifest themselves is through suicide. According to the National Rural Health Association, farmers are 3.5 times more likely to die from suicide than the general population. Another study published by the National Library of Medicine concluded that 97.4 percent of the 194 farmers who participated in the study “had some form of depression, and 67 percent had severe depression.”
That research also highlighted, that “60 percent of the farmers had suicidal ideation.”
For many, the pressure to maintain a farm that has been in the family for generations adds a layer of emotional hardship.
Historically, men have dominated farm ownership and decision-making roles. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in women taking on roles as farm owners. According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture, there were 1,224,726 women producers in 2022.
Further substantiating this claim is a survey conducted by the National Young Farmers Coalition that shows women represent an outsized share of the beginning farmer population, with more than 60 percent.
While any gender, age group, or socioeconomic class can struggle, women are known to have specific things that uniquely affect their mental wellness.
A study published in The Journal of Rural Health examined the stress and quality of life among women farmers. Responses from a sample of 592 women farmers from Iowa were used to evaluate the Women Farmer Stress Inventory (WFSI), which was constructed with 36 items based on a review of farmer stress inventories. The study concluded that, “young age, being married, and engagement in off-farm work, and smaller farm size were associated with greater levels of stress across most domains.”
The 2022 USDA Census of Agriculture also reveals that there are 1,224,726 women producers in agriculture. Of these, 421,940 list farming as their primary occupation, while 802,786 balance it with other primary jobs. The data also identifies 107,835 young women producers, with the average age of women in agriculture being 57.8 years. This highlights the vital role that women play in the sector across different age groups and job functions.
To better support farmers, it is essential to increase the availability of mental health resources in rural areas and promote strategies that help streamline communication between farmers and mental health professionals. Encouraging farmers to talk openly with each other or a professional can create a strong sense of community, making everyone feel more connected and less isolated.
Additionally, engaging in activities outside of farming — such as fishing, hunting, golf, or even working on a puzzle — can provide necessary distractions and relief from daily stress, according to Drs. Andria Jones-Bitton and Brianna Hagen of the University of Guelph in Canada. While these activities might seem minor when facing the possibility of losing a farm, staying mentally strong is essential for farmers to think of effective ways to save their farms.
Experts in this field feel that the lack of open discussion about mental health in the farming community can lead to serious problems. Many farmers suffer in silence, too often tackling their challenges on their own and seeing them as personal shortcomings instead of problems that could be addressed with professional support.
According to the National Rural Health Association, the isolation of rural life can worsen stress and trigger serious mental health issues. Unfortunately, mainstream media hasn’t fully covered these problems, leaving a significant gap in awareness and support across greater society.
Matthews is a strong advocate for expanding programs similar to the one he manages in Minnesota, which provides farmers with direct and hassle-free access to mental health support. He highlights the effectiveness and efficiency of his program by pointing out the reduced bureaucracy involved.
“I don’t have to justify talking to someone for five minutes because I’m under contract with the state,” he said, “so the amount of paperwork I have to do is nothing compared to a hospital.” This reinforces the importance of readily available support for farmers.
Support for farmers’ mental health is increasing, but it still requires more focus and development. Initiatives such as the AgriStress Helpline, National Suicide Prevention Hotline, and the Farm Aid Helpline, which are specifically for farmers, along with educational outreach programs on mental health, are steps in the right direction. However, there is more opportunity for outreach and support.
It’s vital to keep advocating for increased awareness and improved resources for mental health in the agricultural sector. Focusing on mental health support not only aids individual farmers but also ensures the longevity and sustainability of entire farming communities for future generations.
This article was published on behalf of American Farmland Trust.
David Salazar serves as the 2024 American Farmland Trust Agriculture Communications Intern at AGDAILY, with a focus on helping to amplify diversity and minority voices in agriculture. David is originally from King City, California, and attended the University of California, Fresno, as a first-generation college student. He received a bachelor’s degree in viticulture and enology and has worked in California’s premier wine producing regions.
