Breaking the Silence on Farm Stress

When the manager of a Pennsylvania poultry farm lost her entire flock, job and housing all in one day, she fell into a crisis. Fortunately, Gregory Martin, poultry extension educator, was there to offer crucial support. "You're the first person to actually talk to me about this," she told him.

Farming has always been a demanding profession, but today's farmers face unprecedented pressures that can severely impact their mental health. From unpredictable weather and fluctuating markets to disease outbreaks and evolving consumer preferences, farmers navigate a complex landscape that often feels beyond their control. In response, Penn State Extension offers an array of mental health resources and support.

Unique challenges of farming

Agriculture differs from other jobs where "clocking out" is as simple as shutting a laptop.

"In animal production, every day is a workday," Martin said. "Christmas is just another day on the farm. And they're long days. You're milking every 12 hours. We plan our weddings and funerals between milkings."

Ginger Fenton, dairy extension educator, pointed out two main sources of stress for farmers: weather and financial pressures.

"We can't control the weather," she said.

Martin echoed this. "We put a seed in the ground and hope for rain to make it grow," he said. "It's a big risk. Sometimes it happens, and sometimes it doesn't."

Adding to these concerns are financial burdens, including high input costs, low commodity prices and debt. Although there are risk management tools, much depends on luck, Fenton said.

Farming is also among the most dangerous work environments in the U.S., with higher fatality rates than emergency responders, according to the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety. With physically demanding work, farmers are at elevated risk of injuries, pesticide exposure and overwork.

Disease outbreaks add further stress. Highly pathogenic avian influenza threatens Pennsylvania's poultry industry. Fruit and vegetable growers face threats from invasive species and diseases that jeopardize plant health. And farmers constantly must adapt to new regulations.

Beyond external factors, family dynamics create unique pressures on the farm.

"The semiretired father who is still hands-on can make it tough for everyone below him," Martin said.

Consumer preferences introduce new challenges as the public increasingly seeks transparency and a connection to the story behind their food, Fenton noted. But not all farmers are comfortable with public relations.

Reluctance to seek help

Despite a clear need for support, many farmers hesitate to seek help due to embarrassment and high health care costs. A 2022 survey of Pennsylvania livestock producers revealed that farmers often feel tired, nervous or anxious but are reluctant to seek mental health care. The survey was part of a collaborative initiative by state agricultural organizations and educational institutions, funded by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.

Knowing where to get help and taking that initial step can be daunting, Fenton noted.

"We're working to get the word out," she said. "The collective effort in the ag industry is lessening the stigma. More people are willing to seek help now, and resources are easier to find than before."

One effective resource is a simple yet powerful tool: wallet cards that say, "Farming is stressful; you're not alone." These cards list the Penn State Extension website and AgriStress HelpLine for Pennsylvania, available 24/7 to help farmers in crisis.

"We give out a huge amount of them," Fenton said. "I encourage people to take these, and they disappear quickly. I tell people they can call and help someone else too. They might take it for themselves without realizing it."

Another free, anonymous resource is extension's "Farm Stress Real Talk" podcast, which supports farmers, farm families and workers in the agriculture industry experiencing stress. The podcast addresses challenges in farming, offers suggestions and raises awareness about stressful conditions affecting farmers.

"Our thought was farmers could listen to the podcasts in the cab of their tractor or truck while hauling grain or livestock, and nobody else needs to know," Fenton said. "It's anonymous."

Recognizing the signs of stress

Martin had a friend in college who died by suicide.

"I missed the signs," he said. "I wasn't trained to recognize them. I wish I had been."

Signs of stress in farmers include irritability, lack of focus and motivation, desperation, chronic illness, loss of interest in hobbies, low energy, and anger.

"Someone who usually cares deeply about their animals might suddenly say, 'I don't care about anything. Let the farm fall apart,'" Martin said.

Changes in a farmer's habits also can be telling

"If every Wednesday morning they joined lunch in the cafe and then stopped, that could be a warning sign," Fenton said.

For anyone interested in learning an emergency mental health intervention for individuals at risk of suicide, extension offers the "Question, Persuade and Refer: Gatekeeper Suicide Prevention Training." This evidence-based training helps individuals recognize warning signs of suicidal thoughts and behaviors, ask questions about how someone is feeling, practice active listening, persuade people to seek help, and refer them to appropriate resources.

"I always say suicide is a long-term solution to a short-term problem," Martin said.

Given the close-knit nature of farming communities, Cynthia Pollich, an extension educator in the food, families and communities unit, advocated for "neighbors helping neighbors" to address mental health concerns.

"Outsiders can't always do that," she said. "When a neighbor notices a friend missed social gatherings, they might knock on the farmer's door to make sure they're okay."

Pollich explained that neighbors can support each other by "letting them know you miss them, you're concerned and you're here to listen."

Martin experienced his own mental health struggles during the avian influenza crisis in 2022. Lancaster County, where he is based, ranks among the top counties nationally in poultry and egg sales. Martin, due to his proximity to the affected premises, was often in the field helping to direct depopulation and disposal efforts.

"I literally saw millions of dead birds for over a year," Martin said. The fatigue wore on him. His colleagues in extension noticed — and spoke up.

"I have the best people working with me here in Lancaster County," he said. "They notice things I might miss. Despite looking in the mirror every day, I didn't see how tired I was."

A colleague told Martin he looked exhausted and suggested he take a break. Martin took a week off to catch up on much-needed sleep.

"Taking proper care of yourself, getting plenty of rest and taking breaks helps," he said.

Responding to someone in need

When speaking with the poultry farm manager who lost her flock, job and housing, Martin used his "Mental Health First Aid" training from extension.

Using an evidence-based curriculum from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, this webinar teaches action steps for helping others and emphasizes the importance of mental wellness and reducing stigma. Participants learn skills for providing initial emotional support, offering practical assistance and connecting individuals to appropriate services.

The farm manager lived in a house on the farm property. When avian influenza hit, the entire farm shut down. Millions of birds were lost, and the farm would be out of production for a long time. The manager was scrambling to find work and a place to stay. She had lived there for more than 25 years.

"Mental health first aid training helps us recognize stress in people and empathize with them," Martin said. "We're not psychiatrists, but a resource to connect people with the right help."

Active listening is crucial to show empathy and fully understand concerns.

"For her, it was about finding shelter and work," he said. After Martin talked with the manager for about an hour and a half, she calmed down, and everything turned out okay. Concerned individuals who became aware of her plight found her a job.

"She landed on her feet," Martin said. "But I was worried because we've had suicides after major disasters within the farming community. It takes the farmer to a different point, and they don't see a way out."

Extension offers workshops, such as "Communicating with Farmers Under Stress" and "Mending the Stress Fence," to help community members and agricultural professionals recognize stressors, signs of anxiety and suicide warning signs. These courses, developed by Michigan State University Extension, teach participants to approach and assist farmers who show changes in their mental health and steer them toward resources. Training is available on request by contacting a member of the farm stress team.

The farm stress team comprises educators from multiple disciplines who understand and support the farming community. Their goal is to improve communication with farmers under stress and reduce mental health stigma. While they don't provide counseling, they offer webinars and workshops on available tools and helplines.

Fenton compares these workshops to insurance: information that's great to have but you hope you don't need.

"Some people come to our workshops to be prepared," she said. "Especially ag industry folks who might encounter difficult situations on farm visits or when talking to farmers — they want to be ready."

Martin recommends this training for anyone in agriculture's support structure.

"The bank loan officer, the equipment supplier — they need this training," he said. "The more people know, the better our community can support agriculture. We're always one disaster away from collapse, so it's important to be sturdy, prepared and able to handle whatever comes."

Avenues for help

Pollich pointed out that farm stress is more than an occupational hazard.

"Being a farmer is your job, but it's also your identity," she said. "It might be where your family has lived for 100 years."

This deep-rooted identity and sense of pride among farmers can contribute to the stigma of seeking help.

"They are strong and have been doing this for generations," Pollich added. "But they might need a little help."

Penn State Extension tailors mental health resources to the agricultural community. Martin compares these resources to a seatbelt in a car: "You never know when you'll need them," he said. "But when you do, you need them immediately."

Fenton is encouraged by the sense of camaraderie she sees in the agricultural community.

"The ag community cares about each other and is willing to help those who are struggling," she said. "Farmers are so resourceful. You see the word 'resilient' a lot, but I'd say resourceful. I hope they continue to realize that these avenues for help are out there."

—Alexandra McLaughlin

Unequal Burden

Research indicates that COVID-19 exacerbated stress for veterans of color and female veterans

The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread illness and death, economic and employment issues, severe social restrictions, and significant changes to family life. Researchers at the Clearinghouse for Military Family Readiness at Penn State recently published a study in Stress and Health examining stress levels of post-9/11 veterans during the pandemic across employment, financial, social and health domains.

"In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, we surveyed more than 3,100 post-9/11 veterans about their stress in various life domains," said Keith Aronson, co-director of the clearinghouse. "In virtually every domain, veterans of color and female veterans reported significantly higher levels of stress than their white male counterparts."

White male veterans reported considerably less stress about job stability than female, Black, Hispanic and "other" racial group male veterans. Female veterans and veterans of color reported more concern about contracting COVID-19 while at work than white males.

"In terms of financial stress, post-9/11 veterans reported being slightly stressed about paying for essentials, such as food and rent," said co-author Daniel Perkins, co-director at the clearinghouse and professor of family and youth resiliency and policy. "Black male veterans were 13% and female Hispanic veterans 21% more likely than white males to feel stress about paying for essentials."

Social isolation caused slight to moderate stress, with white and Hispanic female veterans feeling more isolated than males of all race/ethnicity groups.

In terms of mental/emotional health, veterans of color reported significantly higher stress than white male peers, with white female veterans also more stressed than Hispanic males. Black females reported significantly higher mental/emotional stress compared to Black, Hispanic and "other" race males. Veterans of color reported higher physical health-related stress than white males.

These findings align with other U.S. studies showing that females and people of color were impacted more negatively by the pandemic than white males. The researchers theorized that COVID-19 exacerbated existing health and social disparities.

"Closing these disparities and reducing barriers to care would likely enhance the health and well-being of veterans of color and females in the event of future health shocks such as the COVID-19 pandemic," Aronson said.

—Kristie Auman-Gooding