For Connecticut farmers and their families - Dealing with Stress in Agriculture
Are you at risk? In Crisis call 1-800-273-TALK (8255) or 211 in CT, or Text "CT" to 741741.
In an Emergency call or text 911
Farm Stress Resources
Agriculture is a challenging and stressful business, but farmers and producers are not alone. Connecticut agricultural organizations have mental health resources specific to the industry that are available on demand. There are tools, information, interviews, webinars, videos and services that help producers and farmers cope, and remind us that we are not alone. This project is led by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, in partnership with Extension and others.
Farm Stress Solutions Series
Mental Health is a term that is thrown around a lot, but did you know it is refers to anything that connects with our emotional well-being? It can be as simple as how to deal with stress that your finances cause you, to dealing with the grief and loss of a partner in your life. All of these parts of our lives are woven in and out of our farms and need caring for in order for our businesses to thrive! Earlier in 2022 we put together a series of videos talking with local farmers about a couple of different topics surrounding mental health/wellness. They're the perfect thing to listen to while moving fencing, weeding veggies or going to-and for in the busy market season. Give them a listen and see if you can learn a thing or two!
Connecticut Resources
Resources available in Connecticut
CT Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services
- Suicide Prevention
- Mobile Crisis Intervention Services:211 Youth Adults
- Talk It Out Line for Parents & Caregivers: 1(833)528-5011 www.TalkItOutCT.com
- Gizmo's Pawesome Guide to Mental Health: www.Gizmo4MentalHealth.org
- Crisis Text Line: Text CT to 741741 www.crisistextline.org
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1(800)273-TALK (8255) or 211 in CT www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org
Question. Persuade. Refer. (QPR) Institute
Similar to CPR training, QPR training teaches anyone how to respond to help prevent suicide
Other resourses
MSU Extension - Managing Farm Stress
Convening Webinars and Resources
USDA Farm Stress Convening Webinar and Additional Resources
The USDA meeting, Sustainable Livelihoods and Behavioral Health: Strategies to Address Farm Stress and Suicide , offered new information and discussions on strategies, programs, and resources to support farmers and ranchers in need.
Session Recordings
Helpful Links
- 988 Hotline
- Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Rural Activities 2022
- Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention Rural Health
- Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network USDA National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA)
- Farm Stress Resources
- Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement (OPPE)
- OPPE Contact Information
- OPPE Outreach for Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers and Veteran Farmers and Ranchers
- USDA Service Center Locator
- USDA Rural Development
If you have additional questions please do not hesitate to reach out to partnerships@usda.gov
Mental Wellness
Mental Wellness Overview
Recognizing Key Warning Signs
Tom Steen, Steen Consulting and Joan Nichols, Connecticut Farm Bureau discuss Mental Wellness in Connecticut’s farming community. From this video you will also hear a personal story on how one farmer (Jerry Grabarek, Preston Farms) was able to recognize key warning signs and seek the help he needed. Please answer the questions below to help us improve our programs.
Making Mental Health a Priority Within CT Agriculture 2021
Coping and Finding Hope
Tom Steen, Steen Consulting and Joan Nichols, Connecticut Farm Bureau discuss Mental Wellness in Connecticut’s farming community. From this video you will also hear a personal story from Kies Orr, Fort Hill Farms on how her farm and family has been coping and found hope after experiencing a loss from mental health. Please answer the questions below to help us improve our programs.
Resources for Managing Stress and Burnout
Stress is part of life, and farming is considered to be one of the most high-risk and stressful occupations. In fact, studies by The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) confirm that agriculture is one of the most hazardous industries in the United States and that farmers represent an occupational group with one of the highest levels of job-related stress. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, Sep 30, 2022), farmers and ranchers are nearly two times more likely to die by suicide in the U.S. compared to other occupations.
Everyone develops their own tactics to manage all of the routine pressures in order to cope, but burnout can develop over time when someone faces chronic stressors. And some extraordinary stressors may come your way that cannot be effectively managed with the same strategies, resulting in feeling overwhelmed. When feeling swamped, burned-out or overloaded, keeping your frustrations bottled up and isolating yourself is not an effective strategy. In fact, that approach can deepen the anxiety and enhance feelings of despair, resulting in continued distress, depression or feeling compelled to rages or abusive behaviors toward yourself or others.
Reaching out for support or assistance is NOT a sign of weakness; rather, it demonstrates one’s strength and responsibility. Family members and close associates may have noticed some changes and would be caring confidants. If there is a preference for talking with someone outside the family, it might make sense to talk with a trusted friend or reaching out to your primary care physician or a pastor or other individual in your own religious group. There are now resources available for farmers to assist with managing farm stress and connect farmers with needed contacts and supports. The worst thing is not talking to anyone.
National hotlines and resources
988 - has been designated as the new three-digit dialing code that will route callers to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Starting July 16, 2022, this became available to everyone across the United States.
AgriStress HelplineSM - Call or text 833-897-2474 this free and confidential crisis and support line 24/7. Interpretation services are provided in 160 languages and staffed by trained professionals who understand issues related to agriculture and provide support and/or will help you find mental health resources in your area.
1.800.950.NAMI (6264) - The NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) HelpLine can be reached Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. ET. Call1-800-950-NAMI (6264); text "HelpLine" to62640; email at helpline@nami.org ; chat: nami.org/help
Text to 741741 - The Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential. Start your message with HOME or START or HELLO to get connected to a volunteer Crisis Counselor.
1.800.FARM-AID (1.800.327.6243) - Farm Aid has resources and a hotline for farmer support. (This is NOT a crisis line.) To talk to the Hotline Team directly, call 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243). The Hotline is answered Monday through Friday from 9 am – 10 pm ET. Hotline assistance is available in English and Spanish.