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Minnesota ag officials see uptick in farmers seeking mental health support

This can be a particularly difficult time for farmers’ mental health. 

Tracie Rutherford Self is a mental health specialist with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.  She says tax season can be a precursor for stress on the farm.

“Because it’s stressful, and the financial pieces are stressful. We’re looking at tax season, and then we’re looking at operating loans coming up. And we’re still looking at what’s happening from a federal government standpoint, payments people are waiting on. So there are a lot of factors.”

Speaking to Brownfield at Minnesota Pork Congress in Mankato Tuesday, she said seasonal depression is another factor.

“And in the winter, we’re seeing things break down because of freezing temperatures, and it feels like one thing after another. So I think winter is a particularly stressful time, but I would also tell you every time is usually somewhat stressful.”

Self says she’s seeing an uptick in requests for agricultural mental health services.