Voice of Mississippi Agriculture

Mental Health

As Mississippi farmers, ranchers and rural community members, challenges to our way of life are inevitable, especially those out of our control. In the last decade, we have faced flooding, lower commodity prices, trade tariffs, a global pandemic and much more. These uncontrollable factors can create stress, potentially leading to serious affects on your well-being. It is important to stay vigilant in checking on yourself, employees, or family to manage stress and remain resilient. As farmers, we take great care of our land and livestock, but we are not always great at taking care of ourselves. It’s time to put yourself first. We know times are tough. If you or someone you know is struggling with stress, anxiety, loneliness, depression, addiction or other mental health challenges, please reach out and ask for help. Your mental health and wellness are important to us. You matter. You are not alone.

Warning Signs

If you or someone you know is struggling with stress, anxiety, loneliness, depression, addiction or any of the following mental health challenges, please reach out and ask for help.

 

    • Excessive worrying or fear
    • Feeling excessively sad or lot
    • Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
    • Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs”
    • Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
    • Avoiding friends and social activities
    • Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
    • Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
    • Abuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
    • Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
    • Thinking about suicide
    • Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress

Resources

You can visit your primary care provider, a mental health professional, a walk-in clinic, an Urgent Care Center or an Emergency Room to get mental health help.

Find a Mental Health Provider

Community Health Center Association of Mississippi (CHCAMS)

Reach out via Phone & Text Lines

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline

Mental Health Awareness

Taking Control in Stressful Times

To say that 2020 has been stressful would be an understatement. We started the year with weather disasters, then followed that up with COVID-19 and now we are saddened to watch the social unrest that’s happening across our country. For farmers and ranchers, volatility...

Mental Health Matters in Rural America

Farm strength takes many forms and our rural communities are stronger when we come together to prioritize our mental health. AFBF President Zippy Duvall sits down with California farmer Tara Beaver Coronado and Colorado Farm Bureau Executive Vice President Chad...

Staying Safe Despite the Unpredictable

Amidst the ups and downs that the world throws at us, it's important to prioritize safety, like driving safely and keeping on top of mental health.   This year, safety in all forms has been on the forefront for Mississippi Farm Bureau Federation members. Between the...

Keeping Farmers Resilient and Connected

Mental health is especially important for farmers and others in the ag industry, when trying times add stressors – but resources are available. In 2020, farmers have faced natural disasters, volatile commodity prices, a global pandemic and much more, increasing their...

Managing Stress in Farm Country

Americans from all walks of life are struggling to cope with an array of issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Fear and anxiety about this new disease and what could happen is sometimes overwhelming and can cause strong emotions in adults and children. But long...

Helpful Links

American Farm Bureau Federation – Farm State of Mind

American Farm Bureau Federation – Rural Resilience

Mississippi State University Extension – The PROMISE Initiative 

Community Health Center Association of Mississippi (CHCAMS)

TransFARMation Podcast

Louisiana Rural Mental Health Alliance

Upper Midwest Ag Safety & Health Center Stress & Mental Health Help

AgriSafe Network Mental Health Resource

Michigan State University Extension – Managing Farm Stress: 

North Dakota State University Extension – Farm and Ranch Stress

University of Minnesota Extension – Coping with Rural Stress

Rural Health Information (RHI) Hub – Rural Response to Farmer Mental Health and Suicide Prevention