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Helping farmers manage mental health before it’s too late

An Iowa State behavioral health state specialist says many farmers quietly struggle with mental health.

David Brown says some farmers are reluctant to ask for help.

“We want to make sure that the providers are more aware of ways to interact with farmers and to ask good questions that leads them to ultimately better outcomes in the end,” he says.

He tells Brownfield he encourages basic coping mechanisms.

“Getting a good night’s sleep. That may not happen, but we really need folks to get 7-8 hours of sleep,” he says. “Good social connections. Farmers are great at that, you know, have the coffee groups, whatever. The farmers are great at connecting with others and they need to do that because their job is so isolating at time.”

Brown says to look for signs of changes.

“What we really need to look at is changes,” he says. “Can be changes in behavior, changes in emotional statements could be changes in hygiene, changes of repeating isolating things, avoiding things that they used to enjoy.”

If you or someone you know needs help, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.

Additional resources can be found here.

AUDIO: David Brown, Iowa State Extension