“UGA Extension agents are uniquely positioned to raise awareness about rural stress and mental health concerns for Georgia farmers.” – A truth UGA Extension is starting to embrace and a statement leading into a compassionate article by Clint Thompson which highlights Extension’s beginning efforts to start these tough conversations about mental health in the agricultural industry.
Clint’s publication can be found here: https://newswire.caes.uga.edu/story.html?storyid=8195&story=Rural-Stress
Agents are not health care professionals and we can’t pretend to be, but we are here to provide support and want to help producers anyway we can. Stress and mental health issues are real in Agriculture and are more prominent in area’s affected by natural disasters such as ours these past few years. As stated in Mr. Thompson’s article: “‘Farming is the only profession I can think of where you can do everything right and work 24/7 and make all the best decisions and have all the best equipment and still go bankrupt,” [Anna] Scheyett said. “There’s so much out of your control.’”
A statement I reiterate in my personal dealings with family and friends working through mental health concerns is that: “Its okay to not be okay, but please get help.” All of my clientele I work with are an extension of myself and my friend/family network and I’m here to listen. Looking for professional resources – GDA’s 6 Steps to Ag Recovery start’s with this statement: “If you or someone you know struggles to cope with strong feelings a few weeks/months after an incident, or experiences continued interference with normal functioning, get help by calling the Georgia Crisis and Access toll free at 1-800-715-4225.
Lastly, below are some of the health and self-care resources we’ll have on hand during our suite of production meetings in Jan-Feb 2020:
Staying Healthy on the Farm – VT Wellness Worksite Resource
Heat-Related Illness – Southeastern Coastal Center
Back Pain – National Farm Medicine
Dusts & Molds – National Farm Medicine
Controlling Risk Factors for Heart Disease – UGA Extension
7 Ways to Control Your High Blood Pressure – UGA Extension
Tips for Talking with Your Health Care Provider – National Institute of Mental Health (NIH)
6 Steps to Ag Recovery – Georgia Department of Agriculture (GDA)
5 Action Steps for Helping Someone in Emotional Pain – NIH
A “Primer” on Farm Stress Resiliency – ISU Extension and Outreach
Stress – Michigan State University
Coping with Disaster in the Agricultural Community – GDA
Mental Health and the Impact on Wellness for Farm Families – AgriSafe Network
Thanks and please reach out to me if I can be of assistance or just to listen (229-417-7062).
Best Wishes,
Joshua Grant
