Unique challenges of farming can lead to mental health struggles

MANKATO, Minn. — The unique challenges of farming that is an isolating job with economic and generational pressures can lead to mental health problems.

“Every industry experiences economic pressures, whether you are building houses, running a trucking company or working in higher education,” said Thad Shunkwiler, associate professor in the Department of Health Science at Minnesota State University.

“But the economic pressures faced by agriculture are not the same in many ways that other industries experience and one big difference is the economic uncertainty is very cyclical,” said Shunkwiler during the AgriMindset: Fields of Stress, Mental Health in Agriculture webinar hosted by Compeer Financial.

“There’s good years and there’s bad years,” he said. “Sometimes you know they are coming, sometimes you don’t and a lot of factors you have no control over.”

Many times, the pressure comes from multigenerational farms.

“Grandpa had the farm, dad had the farm and now I have the farm, which creates another level of pressure and expectation,” the associate professor said. “There is a level of personal identity that is tied to agriculture that other jobs do not experience because farming is not a job — it’s an identity.”

Although farmers may work with brothers, sisters, cousins, partners or employees, Shunkwiler said, it is a more isolating profession than a lot of other jobs.

Access to mental health care in many rural communities may not exist. For example, there is a significant amount of crop and livestock farming operations in Jackson County in southwestern Minnesota, Shunkwiler said.

“According to the last census data, there were zero mental health providers in that county,” he said.

“So, you have a hub of agriculture economic activity, all the stress that comes with that and yet no one to help those individuals who are brave enough to ask for it,” he noted.

It is difficult for some farmers to be off duty from their operations.

“As a professor, I know in May I will get a break,” Shunkwiler said. “Many people don’t understand what it means to hold an occupation that never allows a day off.”

He talked about signs to look for to determine if someone might be struggling with mental health issues.

“Behavioral changes are the easiest thing to observe,” he said. “Someone who has been actively involved in their community, church or other activities is now withdrawn, you might need to pay a little more attention to what is going on.”

Other signs include uncharacteristic agitation or emotional outbursts.

“When you are struggling, it’s hard to hold it in,” Shunkwiler said. “You can do it for a while, but at some point that pressure is going to come out.”

It is also important to listen for verbal cues.

“Expressions of defeat are signals that start to paint a picture that we may need to intervene,” Shunkwiler said.

A person may say “it’s just not worth it anymore” or talk about giving up or quitting.

“Other signs include farmers who are avoiding conversations or paperwork about their finances or farmers that are neglecting property, equipment or livestock,” Shunkwiler said.

He emphasized that a person does not need to be a mental health professional to help people who are dealing with stress or anxiety.

“One component that is underrated is simple human connection,” he said. “We can lean in and provide support to make a difference in mental health challenges in agricultural communities.”

This can be accomplished by a simple check in with someone and listening without judgment.

“Sometimes just starting the conversation is enough support to help somebody through difficult times,” Shunkwiler said.

“Normalize the experience by telling them it is a tough time for the whole industry and they are not alone in this struggle,” he said. “When people realize it is not just them and there are other good people who are struggling through a cycle of economic uncertainty, that provides some sense that they are not alone.”

The worst outcome of someone with a mental health issue is loss of life by suicide.

“Not everyone who is struggling is going to find their way to suicide,” Shunkwiler said. “But the risk of suicide for those who work in agriculture is greater than most other industries.”

Hopelessness is one of the key predictors of suicide, he explained.

“If you do not have hope for tomorrow or hope for the future, that puts you in a pretty dark place and suicide becomes a way out,” he said.

Additional signs of suicide include talking about being a burden to others, an increase in alcohol or substance use or withdrawing from family.

“If you are seeing or hearing these things, that should be your cue that you need to do something,” the associate professor said.

Although it may be difficult, Shunkwiler said, it is important to ask directly and compassionately if a person is thinking about hurting himself.

“We all have to be comfortable asking that question,” he said.

“The next step is to encourage immediate support,” he added. “Ask them if they would be open to reaching out to someone together and help them make that connection right now.”

There are many resources for people who are dealing with a mental health crisis, including the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline that is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

There are also opportunities to get training to help with mental health challenges by visiting mentalhealhfirstaid.org and qprinstitute.com.