May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Chad Smith highlights the importance of supporting individuals dealing with mental health struggles in rural farming communities. According to studies, suicide rates among farmers are significantly higher than the national average. The managing director of member engagement at the American Farm Bureau Federation, Jessica Cabrera, emphasizes the need to address mental health issues among farmers and ranchers.
Cabrera explains that individuals in the agricultural industry face numerous stressors such as natural disasters, financial uncertainty, market fluctuations, labor shortages and trade disruptions. These factors can contribute to extreme stress especially since many farmers and ranchers live in isolated settings. Cabrera advocates for destigmatizing mental health challenges and promoting open conversations about these issues.
She recommends utilizing national resources such as searchable directories, tips on supporting others in emotional distress, and peer-to-peer support communities like Togetherall. These resources provide a platform for individuals to express themselves anonymously and receive peer support. Cabrera encourages everyone to become advocates for mental health in rural America by normalizing conversations around mental health, empowering individuals to seek help and emphasizing that reaching out for support is a sign of strength not weakness.