A Healthy Farm Starts with a Healthy You

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is a good time to check in on your own mental wellbeing and that of your family, staff, and loved ones.

Mental health concerns are very common, affecting millions of Americans each year, ranging from daily stress to more severe mental health challenges. Farmers and those in agriculture face many unique stressors that can impact mental health, including challenges from nature (weather, disease, pests, etc.), business/financial pressures (volatile pricing, increasing costs, etc.), managing employees and family responsibilities, along with many other factors.

While these unique stressors in agriculture can take a major toll on mental wellbeing, there are resources available to help. Mental health should not be ignored and those who need support should not hesitate to seek it. The following information provides links to some of those resources available throughout the Northeast.

National / Multi-State

Farm Credit East Customer Assistance Program – Free for Farm Credit East customers, their family members and their employees, this program offers assistance and referrals for many of life’s challenges. These serves are offered through ESI. To learn more about the services offered, click here or use the information below to contact ESI directly. www.theeap.com or 800-252-4555

Farm Aid – Farmer Services – One-on-one assistance and connections with resources.
 www.FarmAid.org or 800-327-6243

Cultivemos – The Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Northeast 
www.cultivemos.org

National Suicide Prevention Hotline
www.988lifeline.org, 800-273-8255, or 988 in many areas

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) National Helpline: 800-662-4357 or https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline 

Connecticut

AgriStress Helpline for Connecticut – Emergency and non-emergency resources. Peer-to-peer networking, business resources and family resources. 
www.ctfarmstressrelief.com or 833-897-2474

Maine

Maine Agricultural Mediation Program
https://extension.umaine.edu/agriculture/agricultural-mediation/ or 207-581-3487

Massachusetts

Massachusetts Agricultural Mediation Program 
https://www.umb.edu/mopc/programs/agricultural-mediation-program or 617-287-4040

New Hampshire

New Hampshire Agricultural Mediation Program 
https://emcenter.org/nhamp/ or 800-511-2213

New Jersey

New Jersey Agricultural Mediation Program
https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/sadc/agmediation/ or 609-984-2504

New York

New York FarmNet – Free and confidential help with a wide variety of farm issues, including stress and mental health, financial difficulties and more. 
www.nyfarmnet.org or 800-547-3276. 

New York State Agricultural Mediation Program
www.nysamp.com or 866-669-7267

Rhode Island

Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance RI: 401-414-5465

Center for Mediation Rhode Island
https://cmcri.org/service/agricultural-mediation/  or 401-273-9999

Vermont

Farm First – Vermont-based program providing farmers with support, resources and information to reduce stress, including peer support and self-assessments. 
www.farmfirst.org or 802-318-5538

Vermont Agricultural Mediation Program
https://emcenter.org/vtamp/  or 800-511-2213

Almost everyone faces challenges impacting mental health at some point, and seeking help is a sign of self-awareness and strength. In acknowledgement of Mental Health Awareness Month, take time to prioritize your own wellness this month and provide similar support and encouragement to those close to you.