Resources to Cope with Farm & Rural Stress
Farming is demanding and can be a stressful occupation. Add difficult financial challenges, isolation and factors out of your individual control such as weather and markets, and stress is multiplied for farmers and farm family members. It's not uncommon to find yourself overwhelmed and unsure where to turn.
There are resources available to help you.
Seeking help to deal with stress or crisis is a sign of strength, not weakness. It’s critical for your health and well-being, and free expert help is available right now. Please see the list of resources below.
Are you dealing with anxiety or depression? Are you concerned for the life of a loved one or friend who may be depressed?
Quick Links: Rural Mental Health | General Iowa-based Services | Suicide Prevention | Substance Abuse | Spanish Resources
Rural Mental Health
FREE / ONE-ON-ONE COUNSELING
Personal Assistance Services – Free Support for Iowa Farm Families
Dealing with anxiety, depression, stress, or other challenges? Iowa farm families have access to free, one-on-one, on-going counseling 24/7 through Personal Assistance Services.
Call 1-833-999-FARM (3276)
or for general information visit: https://farmfamilywellness.com/
Spokesman Speaks Podcast
- Why it’s time to use these free mental health and wellness services for farm families
- Managing farm stress in the midst of COVID-19 (3-part series cover stress in self, stress within the family and stress within the business team)
- How to identify and react to signs of worrisome stress in loved ones
- Farmer/counselor shares tips for managing stress during a busy harvest
- Staying safe and managing stress during the harvest season
Farm Fresh Blog
- An important question to ask someone in a mental health crisis
- To have a mental health toolbox, you need tools
- Two rural mental health professionals share what counseling is really like
- Mental health is health
#FarmTownStrong
- The opioid crisis has struck farm and ranch families much harder than the rest of rural America. Farm towns will overcome this epidemic through strong farmer-to-farmer support and the resilience of our communities. Learn more here.
Farm State of Mind
- Tips and resources for managing stress, anxiety or depression as well as research on Farmer Mental Health. Learn more here.
Bury Seeds, Not Stress
General Iowa-based Services
Iowa Concern Hotline
- Stress counseling, financial concerns and legal education. Call (800) 447-1985, Email: caringexpert@iastate.edu, Online chat TEEN Line: (800) 443-8336
Your Life Iowa
- A resource for individuals facing problems with alcohol, drugs, mental health or suicidal thoughts. Call (855) 581-8111 Text (855) 895-8398, Live chat at YourLifeIowa.org, or for more valuable resources visit YourLifeIowa.org.
Iowa Mediation Service
- Family conflict website
Healthiest State Iowa – Make It Okay
- Resources about mental illness and how to be supportive. Become an Ambassador for your community.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach mental health trainings
Iowa Aging Services
- Resources for wellness, support services, caregivers, injury prevention and more, click here.
National Alliance on Mental Health—Iowa
Suicide Prevention
National Suicide Prevention Hotline
- Free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you and your loved ones.
- Call (800) 273-8255
- Text ANSWER to 683-9863.
National Crisis Text Line
- Text with a trained counselor from the Crisis Text Line for free, 24/7
- Text HOME to 741-741
Veterans Crisis Line
- Support for veterans in crisis. Call (800) 273-8255
Substance Abuse
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Hotline (SAMHSA)
SAMHSA Disaster Distress Hotline
- Crisis counseling and support for people experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused disasters.
- Call 1-800-985-5990
Drug Disposal
- Disposing of drugs safely is one way to prevent misuse and abuse. Learn more here: https://safe.pharmacy/drug-disposal/
Generation RX: Safe Medication Practices for Life
- We can all do our part to prevent the misuse of prescription drugs by engaging in safe medication practices at home, as well as educating others in our community. Learn more here.
Spanish Resources
- Línea directa nacional de prevención del suicidio. Call (888) 628-9454, Website
- Asociación de la depresión de América (ADAA). Website
- Preocupación de Iowa