Mind your well-being - farm stress resources

By Scout Nelson

Farming is a demanding profession, often made more challenging by factors beyond one’s control, such as weather and market demands. Recognizing the pressures faced by farmers, Minnesota has developed several resources to assist with farm and rural stress.

The Minnesota Department of Agriculture has created a comprehensive guide detailing support services available for stress management among farmers. This includes the Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline, which can be reached at 833-600-2670, by texting FARMSTRESS to 898211, or via email at farmstress@state.mn.us.

Mental health specialists like Ted Matthews and Monica McConkey are also available to provide cost-free, confidential support to farmers across Minnesota. Ted generally assists those south of Highway 12, while Monica serves the northern regions. They can be contacted at (320) 266-2390 and (218) 280-7785, respectively.

For immediate crisis intervention, each Minnesota county offers mobile crisis team services, providing in-person, short-term counseling or mental health services around the clock. These teams ensure privacy and efficiency, usually arriving within two hours of a call.

Additional resources include Fasttracker MN for those struggling with addiction, offering a searchable database of treatment services. The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota, and crisis lines like the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 and Crisis Text Line by texting MN to 741 741, provide further support and information on suicide prevention.

The University of Minnesota Extension also contributes by helping families and communities tackle challenges through its Coping with Rural Stress page, which guides users to financial and mental health resources.

For everyday needs such as food, healthcare, and childcare, and for business, financial, and legal assistance, Minnesota ensures that its farming community has access to comprehensive support, aiding them in both crisis moments and daily struggles.

This structured support system exemplifies Minnesota’s commitment to its agricultural workers, aiming to improve their quality of life and ensure the sustainability of farming as a crucial industry.

Photo Credit -gettyimages-ben-goode