Stay Informed

There’s so much to love about farm life. For many, it’s hard to imagine living any other way. But farming also comes with a unique set of stressors, and during hard times, it’s not uncommon to feel alone and anxious.

A new website launched by Indiana Farm Bureau offers resources to help members deal with stress and anxiety and also offers advice for members who want to help colleagues, neighbors, friends or family.

“A key component of INFB's strategic plan is being a valuable resource for our members. This website is designed to be a resource for members who are going through difficult times or know people who are," said Molly Zentz, INFB’s senior public relations manager-brand and chair of the committee that’s implementing this goal. “Farmers have been going through exceptionally hard times recently, so it's needed now more than ever.”

The website, which is titled “Hoosier Rural Resilience,” can be found at www.infb.org/mentalhealth. It offers:

• Warning signs of stress and suicide.
• Local and national resources, including Purdue University’s resources for farm families in crisis.
• Information on national hotlines, including some (such as Farm Aid) that are geared toward farmers and other rural residents.
• Information on online courses designed for individuals who interact with farmers and ranchers to help them recognize signs of stress and offer resources. Available at no cost to Farm Bureau members and staff, the course was developed by Michigan State University Extension in partnership with the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Farmers Union and Farm Credit. The program will help participants understand the sources of stress and help them learn the warning signs of stress and suicide, identify effective communication strategies, reduce stigma related to mental health concerns and connect farmers with resources.

Research from AFBF shows that most farmers say financial issues, farm or business problems, and fear of losing the farm greatly impacts their mental health.

The survey was conducted in early April, and the farmers and farmworkers surveyed said financial issues (91%), farm or business problems (88%) and fear of losing the farm (87%) impact farmers’ mental health. Other factors included stress, weather, the economy, isolation and social stigma. The impacts of COVID-19 have only added to an already troubling situation.