by Megan Suehring & Danette Hopke

The recently released Wisconsin Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) data from the Wisconsin Department of Instruction, notes that over half of Wisconsin students report significant problems with anxiety and one-third report problems with symptoms of depression in the last year. In fact, in the last 10 years the rates of students reporting they feel sad or hopeless every day for 2 weeks or more in a row increased by over 10% with the 2021 rate being 33.7% of students completing the survey.  In addition, the percentage of students who seriously considered dying by suicide also increase nearly 5% in the last 10 years with the 2021 rate at 18.1%.  It should be noted that suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth ages 10-14 (nimh.nih.gov, 2023).

Although, one does not have to read the recent data to know that the number youth struggling with managing stress, anxiety, and choosing healthy coping strategies is increasing. We can just observe the youth around us and engage with the adults in their lives to see the evidence of this data. Compounding what the data tells us we also know that youth who are involved with agriculture by virtue of their family can experience their own unique set of stressors related to the trials of living in farm families and communities – debt, low commodity prices, unfavorable weather, animal illness or lack of productivity, produce issues, illness, injuries, and reduced access to support resources.

Unlike physical conditions, symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect. Adolescence is a crucial time to provide support. Friends and family members may not know where to start, especially in under-resourced rural areas. As a result, those in need of mental health services often do not receive care until symptoms are severe and impacting daily life. In fact, less than one-fourth (22%) of Wisconsin youth report that they receive the help they need when they feel distressed (WI DPI YRBS, 2021).

Megan Suehring is the Positive Youth Development Educator for the University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension, Shawano County

Danette Hopke is the Health & Well-being Behavioral Health Program Manager for the University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension, Washburn County

If you or someone you is struggling with anxiety or depression, you are not alone! These articles highlight farming youth who have faced these struggles and describe ways to address youth mental health:

Farmers can become stressed by a range of challenges – low commodity prices, debt, weather events, animal and crop issues, illness, injuries and other problems. This stress can carry over into farmers’ personal lives and families. As a result, youth may experience stress from their family’s farm conditions. This factsheet from Michigan State University outlines the warning signs of youth farm stress and highlights ways to help:

As an adult, it can be hard to know what to tell kids when times are tough. Farm youth, when times are tough, can often rise to the occasion if supported with clear and caring communication. Protecting loved ones from bad news is not always best, as often, kids may be aware of something, feeling emotional charges. This handout from Iowa State University can help you know what to say to the farm youth in your life:

Please take a minute to share on your Facebook page!

Learn how to transition your farm to the next generation. The Wisconsin Farm Center and the UW Division of Extension can help navigate the next steps to reach your legacy goals.

Youth Tractor Safety Certification Training is available. Here is a map and list of the programs currently being offered in Wisconsin. If you don’t see a training in your area, we encourage you to contact your local school district and ask them to consider adding Youth Tractor Safety to their curriculum.