Building awareness and a better understanding of mental health is key to the May is Mental Health Awareness Month campaign that started back in 1949. Supporting people and letting them know it is ok not to be ok is a step in breaking down the stigma of mental health. Farmers face a lot of daily stressors, and this can lead to anxiety, depression and even substance use. Here are three myths about mental health challenges and supporting facts to bust these myths and remove the stigma around seeking support for mental health challenges.

MYTH: Mental health challenges are not common among Wisconsin farm families.

FACT: 1 in every 5 farmers will experience a mental health challenge in a given year.

According to a 2021 Wisconsin farmer focus group, the top five stressors affecting Wisconsin farmers at that time included:

All of us in agriculture can relate to this list of stressors. It’s common for farmers to work harder or “put their nose to the grindstone” when they face some of these stressors. However, if we don’t take care of ourselves, we can feel anxious or depressed. We encourage everyone to use positive coping strategies such as talking to a counselor, talking to friends or family, taking a walk, and/or doing an activity that brings us joy. Here are five tools to address stress we can use throughout our stressful days. Use these positive coping skills instead of negative coping strategies things like alcohol or drugs, isolating ourselves, or even self-harm.

MYTH: Nothing holds farmers back from seeking mental health treatment.

FACT: Farmers in an American Farm Bureau study report that the top barriers to seeking help are:

MYTH: Stigma around stress and mental health in the agricultural community has been erased.

FACT: 66% of those involved in agriculture say there is at least some stigma in the agriculture community around stress and mental health, according to a survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau.

Our brain health is important just like our physical health. If you are not feeling ok and you don’t know why, reach out and talk to someone. Sometimes sharing your feelings with a trusted friend or neighbor is just the thing to help you work out what’s bothering you and maybe even determine a plan to address it. Sometimes it may take a few conversations with a trained professional to help you feel better. For free and confidential mental health support today, call 1-888-901-2558.

Use these facts to change your own and other people’s perceptions about mental health and wellbeing in the farming community. Be a positive force for change.

Five Tools to Address Stress
The University of Wisconsin–Madison Division of Extension offers five tools to address stress on your most stressful days. Use these positive coping skills instead of negative coping strategies things like alcohol or drugs, isolation, or even self-harm.

Rural Realities podcast: Myth Busting Mental Health: Know the Facts
The stigma surrounding mental health is very prevalent in our rural communities and is often a barrier to farmers seeking help. On this episode of the Rural Realities podcast, Susan Townsley talks with Karen Endres of the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection (DATCP), about myths and facts around farmer mental health. Susan is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker at Stonehouse Counseling in Viroqua. She has 20 years of experience working with clients in a rural setting. 

QPR Suicide Prevention Trainings
QPR stands for Question, Persuade, and Refer — the 3 simple steps anyone can learn to help save a life from suicide. Just as people trained in CPR and the Heimlich Maneuver help save thousands of lives each year, people trained in QPR learn how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and how to question, persuade, and refer someone to help. Each year thousands of Americans, like you, are saying "Yes" to saving the life of a friend, colleague, sibling, or neighbor.

As a QPR-trained Gatekeeper you will learn to:

Trainings last 90 minutes with an optional additional 30 minutes for role playing and more Q & A. You must register in advance for these trainings. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the training. There are three upcoming virtual trainings:

May 2, 2024, 12:00 PM Central Time

May 8, 2024, 2:00 PM Central Time

May 22, 2024, 12:00 PM Central Time

Please take a minute to share the following video Myth Busting Mental Health Stigmas and text on your social media page(s).

Alternative text: Preview image of a video with a magnifying glass on the right and text on the left that reads: "MYTH: Nothing holds harmers back from seeking mental health treatment." Text on the bottom reads: "24/7 Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline 1-888-901-2558". Over the center of the image is a play icon to view the full video.

Caption: The Wisconsin Farm Center shares three myths about mental health challenges and supporting facts to bust these myths and remove the stigma around seeking support for mental health challenges.