The stresses of the pandemic have hit everywhere, and certainly that includes on the farm. The Illinois Department of Agriculture announced this week during the Farm Progress Show in Decatur that a 2019 Farm Family Resource Initiative is being expanded to provide even more Farmer Mental Health initiatives around the state.
Vermilion County Farm Bureau spokesman Tom Fricke says this is a step in the right direction. He says those that work on the farm are often raised to be self-sufficient in all walks of life. But sometimes all of us need help.
AUDIO: It’s just in their nature to take care of things themselves, and they don’t always realize that you can’t always take care of things yourself. And so reaching out, and knowing that you can reach out, and realizing there are people you can reach out to for help on a variety of issues; it’s something that’s good to have and make available and make note.
Fricke says a first step for all farmers, just like everyone else, is pay attention to what’s going on with others.
AUDIO: If you’re around your neighbor and he’s just not acting like he normally is, maybe reach out to him and say “Hey, is everything going alright?” Just be there and be a listening ear. Don’t necessarily try to offer your own advice, but just let them express what they are feeling at the time.”
The Farmer Assistance Helpline is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week at 1-833-FARM-SOS.
