The last few years have been tough for Minnesota farmers, leading many to seek support for their mental health. Denise Reeser, a farm management instructor at South Central College, spends much of her time helping farmers manage their finances.
“Farmers face many challenges, like rising costs for repairs and fuel,” Reeser notes. She visits farms, offering free advice on creating financial plans and finding ways to cut expenses. Some farmers may need five or six visits before they find a solution. She emphasizes resilience: “We don’t give up.”
Financial strain often affects mental health. According to the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, calls to their farm stress network have doubled in the last two years. Tracie Rutherford Self, an agricultural mental health specialist, highlights the urgency. “We’ve lost multiple farmers to suicide this year, and we don’t want to lose more,” she says.
Rutherford Self also offers free, confidential support. She travels to farms to help farmers talk through their stressors. “The increase in calls shows there’s a real need for support,” she explains. “People are becoming more open about their struggles.”
The stigma around mental health in farming seems to be fading. Farmers are more willing to ask for help than before, which is a positive shift in the community.
For those seeking help, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture offers valuable resources. You can find their farm and rural helpline here.
If you or someone you know is feeling overwhelmed, assistance is available through the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, by calling or texting 988, or from the National Alliance on Mental Illness, which provides a helpline and local support.
As the farming community continues to navigate these challenges, reaching out for support can be a lifeline. Mental health matters now more than ever.
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Mental Health, Farmers, Suicide
