05/08/2026
THE FARMER, HIS WIFE, HIS FAMILY and Their Mental Health
May is mental health awareness month. How many times have we heard the phrase “FARMERS FEED THE WORLD”? What an irreplaceable asset our farmers are to feed the entire world, and our local communities, and their own families!!
On this Friday, lets focus on “How is your farmer and your farm family doing?” I don’t mean how are they doing by the amount of money in their bank accounts or the number of acres they farm but mentally... HOW IS YOUR FARMER and YOUR FARM FAMILY DOING?
What do our farm families endure to achieve this monumental endeavor of feeding the world? In recent years our farmer’s economic outlook continues to worsen. Their businesses are greatly influenced by factors that are far beyond anyone’s control. These stressors can include vulnerability to weather, disease, pests, economic uncertainty which all come without any warning.
Farmers and farm families are born with a passion for what they do! Their role as a provider is at the root of their identity; it is their culture; it is their life. Farmers and farm families strive to be self-reliant, they are independent, they are determined and they work long hard days to achieve their goal; after all the world and the community and the family are all relying on the farmer. Our farmers and farm families often come from a tradition of not sharing their challenges and struggles and choose to tough them out on their own. Farmers and farm families often “do not have time for vacations” or for a break.
Farmers are not the only ones that feel that tremendous weight. The stresses of farming trickle down to the spouse and to the children and often times are even passed down from one generation to the next.
Some of these stressful situations can include working and living closely with family members, of course working and living near loved ones has plenty of important benefits, blending of business and family is also one of the highest stress points of farming and can cause the most interpersonal conflict.
Our farmers and farm families often work long and irregular hours, especially during busy planting and harvest seasons. (Weekends don't exist for farmers in the same way that they exist for those who work 9-to-5 jobs.) While it's nice to work for yourself and rewarding to carry on the family business, the high stress demands of the farming operation can make quality time together as a couple and as a family extremely hard to come by.
The farm crisis of the 1980s led to light being shed on our farmers, their families and the struggles they endure. It was then recognized that the su***de rate among farmers and others in the agricultural trade had the highest su***de rates of all occupations.
These items can often be signs of stress, be aware and be knowledgeable:
Sudden change in emotion, change in behaviors, change in cognitive skills.
Noticeable changes around the farm including neglect to animals, machinery and facilities and most importantly the farmer or family member themselves.
Here are some thing farmers and farm families can try to do to help each other:
Be aware of the warning signs of stress and ask for help.
Have realistic expectations.
Delegate tasks and negotiate roles.
Find ways to laugh even when things aren’t the best.
Go on dates, even if its time spent in the combine. (I know our entire family has been packed in the cab of a combine before and I remember it to this day)
Show gratitude and love and grace. SHOW GRATITUDE-Yes even at the end of a 20-hour day a thank you to your farmer or to your spouse or to your children can go a long way. SHOW LOVE- It’s as simple as taking 2 seconds to write a note and leave it where they can find it. Most importantly of these three, (in my opinion) SHOW GRACE- The farm life is a hard life for everyone involved. During those challenging times, when you know it’s just too much to handle show grace to your farmer, to your spouse, to your children AND TO YOURSELF.
How can I help my friend who is a farmer or a farm family?
Be aware of the warning signs of stress.
Be there, take the time to show up and check on your farmer and farm family.
Practice actively listening. (This includes watching with your eyes and hearing with your ears and processing what the person is saying)
Ask how you can help and offer any expertise you might have. (Whether it is driving a tractor, picking up a part at the parts store, running the kids to practice or providing a meal; ask what you can do to help.)
Whether you are the farmer or the farm family or a farm family friend; if you notice signs of stress DO NOT WAIT. Be prepared to offer resources, pray for your farmer and your farm family they need it even when they are “ok”. Below is a list of resources available to farmers and farm families free of charge.
1-800-327-6243 FARM-AID Hotline
1-618-713-0759 FARM FAMILY RESOURCE INITIATIVE
1-833-327-6767 (FARMSOS)
FARM FAMILY RESOURCE [email protected]
FARM FAMILY RESOURCE WEBSITE
https://www.siumed.edu/farm/farm-family-resource-initiative-resources
-Angela Daily
Resources Used: (https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/farmer-mental-health
https://www.farmaid.org/blog/fact-sheet/why-farmers-face-unique-threats-from-stress/
https://www.farmaid.org/our-work/supporting-family-farmers/
https://www.siumed.org/blog/why-farming-couples-face-unique-stressors-and-what-do-about-it
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/rural-issues-coping-with-stress
