Small Bites: Resources for Mental Health
Authored by Coached Polly Shyka and Leslie Forstadt
Small Bites are short, informational articles with practical ideas about stress reduction, improved communication, and farm and family well-being. They are written by coaches from UMaine Extension’s Farm Coaching team. Farm Coaches are available at no cost to work remotely with farmers and farm teams.
Mental Health Resources
We on the Farm Coaching Team express heartfelt care and concern to all affected by chronic stress, mental health challenges, and compassion fatigue. We wanted to share this podcast from the National Young Farmer’s Coalition that tells the story of people coming together after a tragic loss in the farming community of Washington state.
Here are a few resources that farmers, farm partners, farmworkers, and farm service providers might find helpful to share with others.
We strive to be part of a collective response of stress and mental health support in farming communities. Please consider reaching out to other farmers, farmworkers, and others you know who may be struggling.
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Maine Statewide Crisis and Suicide Prevention Hotline: 1-888-568-1112
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Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Northeast Resources
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Maine 211 to find a mental health care provider, addiction resources, recovery information or other social services
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National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
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Crisis Text Line: Text “CONNECT” to 741741
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FarmAid Crisis Support – available M-F, 9-5 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243)
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3-minute Farm Stress video