Mississippi’s Farmers Encouraged to Focus on Mental Health as National Farmers Day is Recognized This Week

The sun is setting earlier, the leaves are falling, and, thankfully, the weather is cooling and the steamy days of the Mississippi summer are well behind us. For many Mississippi farmers, that also means harvest is nearing its end.

As National Farmers Day was recognized this week on Sunday, October 12, this is a time to recognize the hard work and dedication of our state’s farmers – the men and women who plow, grow, and sow the crops and raise the livestock that feed so many. But it should also be a time to support them and remind them that staying strong doesn’t mean staying silent.

“If you’re not in the business or don’t know someone who is, you may not realize how incredibly challenging it is to be in the agriculture industry,” said Dr. Alyssa Killebrew, Chair of the Board of Mental Health. “My family has a long history with farming, and I’ve seen firsthand the way the stresses of this job – physical, financial, and emotional – can affect our farmers’ mental health. So many of our farmers tend to be the strong, silent type, but we want to encourage them to reach out for help whenever it’s needed.”

Services and supports are available throughout Mississippi. The state’s network of Community Mental Health Centers provide outpatient services for individual and group therapy. If you just need someone to talk to, the 988 Lifeline can connect you with trained counselors who can lend an ear. The DMH Helpline is available at 1-877-210-8513 to connect callers to services. No matter what you’re facing, it’s important to know that you are not alone.

Shea Whitfield, a sixth-generation cattle farmer based in the Clinton area, recently shared how he had faced struggles himself in the past. After a couple of successful seasons, he experienced major struggles in 2009. He came through it in the end, but only after financial and mental health challenges took their toll on him and his family.

“Just talking to people and letting other people in helped tremendously,” he said. “I wish I had known about some of the services available today, to be able to go talk to somebody who has experience in this. Just talk to someone, whether it’s just a buddy or a pastor.”

As the saying goes, food doesn’t come from the grocery store – it comes from the farmers who grow it and get it to the grocery store. However, they could be facing challenges ranging from rising production costs to declining crop prices, along with the effects from the resulting financial issues.

If you’re a farmer who’s experiencing any of the following, it may be time to reach out for help:

  • Excessive worrying or feeling increasingly sad
  • Increasing anger or irritability
  • Increasing alcohol or substance use, especially using alcohol to help sleep
  • Extreme changes in your mood
  • Avoiding friends and families

 

Just as farmers have supported their communities, it’s important for them to know there is support out there for them. First and foremost though, is the important recognition that taking care of your health, both physical and mental, will help you take care of your own family and community.

“Our farmers are the backbone of their families and their farms,” said Dr. Mary Nelson Robertson, State Health Specialist for the Mississippi State University Extension Service. “Taking care of yourself ensures that you can take care of the whole family, and it demonstrates that it’s okay to talk about this topic.”

Sometimes, she said, even someone with years of skill and experience at their job will need a hand. That doesn’t mean anyone has failed at their work, it’s just a recognition that mother nature and market forces can be overwhelming.

“Taking care of our mental health is not a sign of weakness, but it’s a crucial way we can stay strong for the long haul,” Dr. Robertson said.

If you are a farmer or come from a farming family and may need assistance, know that the following resources are available:

  • The 988 Lifeline can be reached by calling or texting 988 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
  • The DMH Helpline can connect you with services and supports near you. Call 1-877-210-8513 to reach the Helpline.
  • You can also visit www.mentalhealthms.com or download the Mental Health Mississippi app to find providers.
  • Be encouraged to simply talk with a trusted family member or friend. Never hesitate to reach out for help.