By Karen Leavitt Stallman

The Farm Family Resource Initiative offers vital mental health resources

Over the past few years, mental health has become a more prominent topic in our daily lives. Constant change and stress have left many feeling depressed, hopeless or anxious. As stress impacts mental health, physical health issues can arise. Farmers and those involved in agriculture are not immune to these challenges.

I grew up on a farm in Randolph County and still farm today with my husband. So I’ve experienced firsthand both the joys and stressors of farm life. Whether you’re driving tractors or handling livestock, farming is rewarding but also demanding. In my youth, the farm was fun and a great learning experience, but it was also a source of many stressors. Many of the stressors I saw that affected my father are the same ones I see my husband and farmer neighbors dealing with today.

That chronic drip, drip, drip of variables we cannot control can often lead to stress and anxiety. Volatile commodity prices, unpredictable weather, rising input costs and insurance expenses are just a few of the factors that can trigger mental health issues for farmers.

The most important asset on the farm is the farmer. The farm thrives only if the farmer is healthy. We must do all we can to keep our farmers healthy, both physically and mentally. Although we excel at caring for crops, livestock and equipment, we often neglect our own health.

Recognizing the need for mental health support, the late Senator Scott Bennett helped establish the Farm Family Resource Initiative (FFRI) in 2019. Managed by SIU School of Medicine’s Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development, the initiative aims to address and improve farmers’ physical and mental health. With guidance from an advisory council of ag industry professionals, FFRI initially launched as a pilot project in six central Illinois counties and has since expanded to all 102 counties, thanks to increased state funding and support from the Illinois Department of Agriculture.

FFRI is working to make a difference in the lives of our farm families. These services are provided at no cost through generous financial support provided by the Illinois Department of Human Services and its Division of Mental Health. Among the services:

The Farm Family Resource Initiative, managed by the SIU School of Medicine’s Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development, provides a network of support and resources for farmers and their families. This includes a free, 24/7 confidential helpline (1-833-FARM-SOS) connecting callers to health professionals who specialize in ag-related stress.

Helpline

FFRI provides a network of support and resources for farmers and their families, including a free, 24/7 confidential helpline (1-833-FARM-SOS) connecting callers to health professionals who specialize in ag-related stress. The medical professionals live in Illinois and can relate to the local economy, weather and other daily stressors specific to the region.

Telehealth Counseling Sessions

In addition to text, email and website services, telehealth counseling sessions are available for those in need of additional support. Up to six individual, couple or group sessions are available. All FFRI services are offered at no cost to the farmer or farm family member with the support of grant funding.

The AgriSafe Nurse Scholar Program offers on-demand webinars for rural nurses.

Scholarships are funded by Farm Credit Illinois. This program is designed to enhance knowledge of diseases related to agricultural work exposures. These lessons will increase knowledge in prevention, identification and assessment of diseases associated with ag work. Details are at learning.agrisafe.org/nurse-scholar-program.

Wellness in the Fields Podcast

FFRI produces a Wellness in the Fields podcast as a guiding light for the mental health and well-being of farmers and farm families. Each episode delves into a critical topic of mental health, offering practical insights, stories of strength and expert guidance. “I like to speak on issues I’m either going through personally or things I’m hearing about out in the fields, from people at conferences, from friends and family and people I know,” says host Adrienne DeSutter. A new episode is published the second Tuesday of each month. Find the podcast on Spotify to get updated every time a new episode comes out.

Grief Support Group

FFRI offers an open support group for farmers and farm family members 18 years and older who have lost a loved one. The group meets virtually every month. Support groups provide an opportunity to meet others who understand and are willing to share.

Harvest a Healthier You Webinars

Harvest a Healthier You: Wellness Strategies for Farm Families is a webinar series that addresses topics specific to farm life. Visit siumed.org/farm/events-and-webinars to view these recorded webinars. Topics have included coping with loss, divorce and depression.

We need to support one another other within the farming community. Agricultural stressors are numerous, so regularly check in on your neighbors. Spread the word about FFRI, and encourage others to seek support when they’re having a rough time—it could save a life.

For more information, visit siumed.org/farm.

Karen Leavitt Stallman, Farm Family Resource Initiative