Farm Mental Health

Helping farmers with stress assistance.

It's time to listen. It's time to help.

Agricultural work includes a number of unique stressors, such as impacts of weather conditions and events, financial concerns about commodity prices, loan interest rates, and managing the farm business, long work hours, working with heavy machinery, and at times, working closely with family. Stress among people in agriculture is important because it can contribute to negative mental health outcomes, and people in agriculture have higher rates of depression, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and deaths by suicide compared to the general population. 

At Illinois Extension, we offer several programs to help people who work in agriculture to learn more about stress and stress management, as well as programs for agricultural community members to learn more about farm stress, mental health, and how to help someone who is struggling or in crisis. 

Request a voucher to receive free counseling services.

You aren't alone. See our resources.

lamb in green pasture
Mental Health Voucher Program
farmer plowing at sunset
Need Help Now?
wheat field
North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance

Try these stress-reducing practices.

Whether in the field, barn, tractor, or home, these simple techniques may help you handle the stress that comes from farming.

Stop. Breathe. Think.

Many of the decisions we make are reactive and driven by our emotions. Learn to pause before we respond, allowing for a thoughtful response. 

Senses

Using your senses can be any easy way to quickly get into a mindful state. Learn the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique to quickly increase your mindful awareness. 

big sky over field of yellow crops
Visualization
Thinking in pictures can be helpful in helping us quiet our mind. Learn this simple technique of using pictures in your mind to stop distressing thoughts and restore calm.
hay field
Mindful Listening
The sounds all around us can be a useful tool to becoming more mindful. This video features three different mindful listening techniques to help you become more mindful.
woman carrying produce in farm field
Mindful Eating
You can be in the present moment throughout your day – even while you eat! Learn the steps to eat more mindfully to enjoy your food, your experience, and the present moment more in this video.

farmer thinking while walking in soybean field
Mantras
What we say to ourselves can greatly impact our mental well-being. In this video, learn about mantras and how they can be useful for bringing peace and calming stress.
farm field in blue sky
Just Breathe
Breathing is an important component of living more mindfully. This video teaches a few simple breathing techniques that you can try anytime, anywhere.
hand feeling the top of wheat in field
Finger Breathing
Mindful breathing is just one way to easily incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. This video features the finger breathing technique, a simple mindfulness technique that can help calm the mind.

Information on this website is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are in crisis, please visit your local emergency department or call 911 immediately. 

Farm Mental Health Contacts

Courtney Cuthbertson: Courtney can assist with the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center and ongoing research about stress and mental health in agricultural communities.

Stephanie Acevedo: Stephanie, farm and ranch stress project coordinator can assist with youth or adult Mental Health First Aid training or one of Michigan State University Extension workshops, including Communicating with Farmers Under Stress and Weathering the Storm in Agriculture. Email, 217-244-2141.

Kacie Hulshof: Kacie, Mental Health Voucher Program coordinator, can assist with the Illinois Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program. Email, 217-333-6205.