Helping Farmers Cope with Stress
Farming can be stressful in the best of times. Financial worries, unpredictable weather, plant pests, livestock diseases, and isolation all contribute to farmers’ anxiety. Severe depression and suicidal thoughts can be common in our day and age. If you are concerned about yourself or about somebody else, help is available.
Maine Statewide Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline:
1.888.568.1112
(Voice/TTY)
If you are concerned about yourself or about somebody else, call the crisis hotline to be connected to your closest crisis center.
The farmer suicide rate is 2 to 3 times higher than the national average suicide rate.
You can help.The National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI-Maine) provides Mental Health First Aid training. It is a national program to teach the skills to respond to the signs of mental illness and substance use. If you think someone may be considering suicide:
- Assess for risk of suicide or harm
- Listen nonjudgmentally
- Give reassurance and information
- Encourage appropriate professional help
- Encourage self-help and other support strategies
You don’t have to have the answers, but you can know how to provide help.
- Add the numbers below to your contact list on your phone.
- Alternately, you can use Siri by saying “I want to kill myself” and it will give you suicide hotline information.
1.800.273.8255 (TALK)
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a hotline for individuals in crisis or for those looking to help someone else: suicidepreventionlifeline.org/chat.Text HELLO to 741741
The Crisis Text Line is a texting service for emotional crisis support. It is free, available 24/7, and confidential.1.888.568.1112
A 24-hour crisis hotline is available to everyone: It connects to Crisis & Counseling Centers.1.866.771.9276 (WARM)
The Intentional Warm Line offers telephone support during challenging times and non-crisis situations. 24/7 from anywhere in Maine.1.800.FARM-AID (1.800.327.6243)
Farm Aid has resources and a hotline for farmer support.
The University of Maine Cooperative Extension has compiled this list of resources for the Maine agricultural community.
Local Resources
- Maine Suicide Prevention Program: Education, Resources, and Support from the Department of Health and Human Services
- Maine Warm Line: Offers telephone support during challenging times and non-crisis situations. 24 hours. 1.866.771.WARM (9276)
- NAMI Maine: Support, education, and advocacy for individuals living with mental illness and those supporting them. NAMI Maine help line, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. 1.800.464.5767 or 207.622.5767.
National Resources
- American Association of Suicidology: Promoting the understanding and prevention of suicide and support those who have been affected by it.
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Are you are in crisis? Be connected to a skilled, trained counselor at a crisis center in your area, anytime 24/7. 1.800.273.TALK (8255)
- Suicide Prevention: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. General information, scientific information, and featured resources.
Publications
- Agricultural Producers & Stress — When Do You Need a Counselor?
By Randy Weigel, University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service. - Farm and Ranch Family Stress and Depression: A Checklist and Guide for Making Referrals.
By Robert J. Fetsch, Colorado State University and Roger T. Williams, University of Wisconsin-Madison. - Mental Health and the Impact on Wellness for Farm Families (PDF). AgriSafe Network, Protecting People Who Feed America.
- The Personal Nature of Agriculture: Men Seeking Help
By Randy Weigel, University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service.
Explores how men’s upbringing makes seeking help a challenge, the social and family barriers to seeking help and the characteristics of helping professionals who work well with men reluctant to seek help and what men can do to help themselves. - After an Attempt
A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency Room.