by Joy Kirkptrick

Every day, Wisconsin farmers and farm families face financial challenges, demands of the job, and changes outside of their control that impact their lives and livelihoods. Coping with these chronic challenges can lead to chronic stress. This stress impacts farmers’ mental and physical well-being, relationships, and decision-making. At the same time, mental health matters to farmers and farm families. A 2019 survey conducted by the American Farm Bureau Federation found that mental health is an important issue to 82% of farmers/farm workers or their families. However, cost, embarrassment, and lack of recognition of common mental health challenges were all cited as obstacles to seeking help or treatment by many respondents. The COVID-19 pandemic and the stress it placed on rural residents also highlighted the limited mental health resources in rural communities. Tele-health has helped bridge the gap, but still, the need for more mental health support in rural areas is high.

Rural communities and especially agriculture communities value supporting each other in times of need. There are countless stories of farm communities coming together to get physically sick farmers’ crops planted or harvested. There are meal trains organized, get well cards and texts of encouragement sent. When a farmer or farm family faces a mental health challenge, it can be hard to let others know because of the perceived shame, that this is something that a farmer should “shake off”, or they just aren’t strong enough. Neighbors and others in the community may notice changes in mood, appearance or behavior and not know how to support those who are in a vulnerable emotional state, afraid to do or say the wrong thing.

For more resources to address farmer stress and mental health, read the full article to learn about the behavioral health programs offered through the UW-Madison Division of Extension.

Joy Kirkpatrick is the Farm Succession Outreach Specialist for the University of Wisconsin – Madison Division of Extension.

24/7 phone or text access to trained crisis counselors who can help people in crisis and their loved ones with mental health-related distress. Call 988 or visit 988lifeline.org for more information.

Wisconsin Department of Ag, Trade & Consumer Protection's Farmer Wellness Program also has:

Around-the-clock support for farmers struggling with suicidal thoughts, depression, or anxiety. Call 1-888-901-2558

Free, confidential counseling sessions by licensed mental health professionals. Available by phone or video. Call 1-888-901-2558

Vouchers to assist with the cost of in-person counseling services with participating mental health providers. Call 1-800-942-2474

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COMET™ is a short, two-hour program offered by UW – Madison Division of Extension educators for the agricultural and rural communities in Wisconsin. The program helps people take the next step after noticing someone might be struggling. It empowers friends and neighbors to be more prepared to support others’ mental health needs – especially before a crisis. 

The University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension has partnered with Farm Well Wisconsin and the High Plains Research Network Community Advisory Council to offer the following virtual, statewide COMET™ trainings for free to rural and farming communities in Wisconsin:

Register by completing this online registration form. This training is at no cost to participants.

Instructors for this session are Bev Doll, Human Development and Relationships Educator in Grant County, and Bridget Mouchon, Health & Well Being Educator for Green and Lafayette Counties.

Register by completing this online registration form. This training is at no cost to participants.

Instructors for this session are Amanda Griswold, Human Development and Relationships Educator in Crawford County, and Carolyn Ihde, Agriculture Educator for Crawford and Richland Counties.

Register by completing this online registration form. This training is at no cost to participants.

Instructors for this session are Joy Kirkpatrick, Farm Succession Outreach Specialist, and Stef Morrill, Executive Director of the non-profit organization, River Valley Commons.