Mental Health

May was Mental Health Awareness Month, a chance to remember to make mental health a priority. According to Mental Health America, identifying symptoms of poor mental health early is critically important for overall health.

Isn’t it interesting how things change over time? And how certain issues become mainstream? We used to play outside from morning to night, day after day, without a second thought, and now as many as 60 million people in the United States are affected by seasonal allergies.

Matt and I were married in 2012. On Oct. 11, 2013, Matt’s father took his own life. We had been married a mere 13 months and suddenly had to navigate both being young and newly married and taking over the family farm, hog and cattle operation.

Across farm country, folks show up for one another. No need is too big and no task too small for us to pitch in and help our neighbors in rural America.

The farmer is the most valuable asset on a farm. “The farmer takes care of his livestock, crops and equipment, but oftentimes farmers don’t take care of themselves,” said Karen Stallman, agriculture resource specialist for the Farm Family Resource Initiative.

The too-young staffers at the senior center finally figured out that we’re not coming back until COVID is gone. And it’s not gone. In some areas it’s easing up a bit, but here it’s still going strong.

When a person suffers from depression or anxiety it changes their ability to function. “If someone is losing control of who they want to be and they are losing hope, that’s a big red flag,” said Adrienne DeSutter, an agricultural mental health specialist.

It doesn’t have to be Thanksgiving to show gratitude for the good things in life. According to “The Health Benefits of Gratitude” from PIH Health, focusing on good things may improve your mental and physical health.

As planting season approaches, to-do lists often pile up. It’s important for farmers to step back and make time to relax.

I learned a lesson this week when I discovered I’d spent over 10 hours glued to the news on television. Afterward, I was depressed and full of anxiety. I knew that couldn’t be good for me.

This year, 23 free workshops will be hosted in Indiana to shine the spotlight on untreated or ignored mental health issues in rural areas.

Farmers and ranchers have some of the toughest jobs in America, facing an incredible amount of pressure, even on good days.

How are you doing? It’s a simple question, but it can make all the difference if we’re willing to ask and stop to listen to the answer.

Running a farm is no easy feat. It takes all hands on deck, and for more than 96% of U.S. farms, that means the whole family is involved. Don’t get me wrong, though, agriculture runs in a family’s blood.

Farmer appreciation projects across Kentucky are receiving grants totaling more than $70,000, the Kentucky Department of Agriculture said.