News

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Capital Farm Credit recognizes the mental health challenges that can impact farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Farm Credit prioritizes supporting organizations that provide resources on managing farm stress. At CFC we have resources available to share with our customers.

Agricultural producers regularly experience fluctuating commodity prices, trade disruptions and extreme weather events that make their already challenging jobs even more difficult. But misconceptions and perceived stigma, isolation and lack of accessible resources in rural communities often means farmers and ranchers avoid discussing their hardships​​​​.

This month, American AgCredit launched a powerful 20-minute documentary, Out of the Shadows, which shines a light on the mental health crisis in rural America. It is worth watching and sharing with friends, family and those who might be able to relate to the video and realize that they are not alone. There is also a shorter, three-minute version of the documentary, as well as a website.

Recognizing these challenges, and the outsized impact mental health can have in rural communities, Farm Credit has partnered with several organizations to provide resources to help farmers and ranchers manage stress and improve their mental health. There are a few listed below:

Farm Family Wellness Alliance

Farm Credit is a proud member of the Farm Family Wellness Alliance. The alliance was formed in response to a growing concern about the lack of resources often available in rural communities. Thanks to the support of several industry organizations, the Farm Family Wellness Alliance can offer resources to farmers and ranchers throughout the country at no cost to the user.

 

Rural Resilience Open Online Course

Learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of stress and suicide, and how to reduce stigma related to mental health concerns.

 

Programs from Farm Credit Partners

  • AgriSafe Network - Farm Credit supports AgriSafe in training health practitioners through FarmResponse, a continuing education course on providing mental healthcare tailored to agricultural communities.

     

  • Progressive Agriculture Foundation - Farm Credit is proud to support the Progressive Agriculture Foundation’s curriculum focused on the mental well-being of rural youth ages four to 13, as part of the “Ag Safety Days” it hosts across America.

     

  • Cultivating Resiliency for Women in Agriculture - Farm Credit partners with American Agri-Women on its Cultivating Resiliency initiative. This includes webinar discussions with farm families who have dealt with mental health issues.

Recognizing the outsized impact mental health challenges can have on rural communities, we prioritize supporting organizations in our industry that are focused on providing resources to our farmers and ranchers to help manage farm stress. When our farmers feel better, they farm better.