IARN — Farmers and people in rural areas are more comfortable discussing stress and mental health challenges.
The stigma around seeking help or treatment for mental health issues is decreasing, but a new Farm Bureau research poll says it is still a factor. “Farm Bureau has been encouraging conversations to help reduce the stigma around farmer stress and mental health through our Farm State of Mind Campaign,” Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall said. “The poll shows we’re making a difference, but there is still work to do.”
Among the poll responses, four in five rural adults and 92 percent of farmers and farmworkers say they’d be comfortable talking with family and friends about solutions to stress or a mental health condition. The number of farmers and farmworkers who are comfortable talking to friends and family has grown 22 percent since April 2019. However, 59 percent of respondents say the mental health stigma is still there.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
Photo Courtesy of American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF)
