May is Mental Health Awareness Month and the American Farm Bureau is encouraging all farmers and ranchers to reach out to their neighbors.
“The biggest support system we have with mental health is our friends and neighbors. And what we’re doing this year is we’re trying to reach out and do it week by week. We’re encouraging all Farm Bureau members to do this. Like we’re trying to give an opportunity to send a text. The second week what we want to do is give them a card. And then on week three, what we want to do is take a ride. The next week we’re saying deliver a treat, and then the last week is like make a phone call,” Lisa Wherry with AFBF said.
Farmers have a lot to deal with on a daily basis, and talking can sometimes help lighten the load. Wherry says it can be difficult for such a proud group to ask for help, but in reality, all farmers and ranchers are facing similar issues.
“Farmers are proud, we’re strong people, and we don’t want anybody to think that we’re weak. We’ve got to provide food, fiber, and fuel for the country, and now we’re letting others know, no, it’s okay if you don’t feel okay. Talk about it. If you talk about it, another farmer might be dealing with the same thing you’re dealing with, and you could talk through it. So, we have grown leaps and bounds over the years realizing it’s out there, we’ve got to deal with it, we’ve got to help each other, we can all work through this together,” Wherry said.
The ‘Farm Crisis Hotline is available to help. The number is 800-464-0258 or click HERE.
