Nicole Tommell is well aware of the economic challenges facing farmers today. But over the last few years, Tommel, an agricultural business management specialist at Cornell Cooperative Extension, has seen these challenges change and increase, and there is a need to develop a critical new skill: mental health first aid. had.
“The agriculture industry was already under tremendous pressure from environmental stressors, low commodity prices and declining profit margins,” Tommell said. “Then COVID hit. It just bottomed out.
“Farmers were unable to ship animals to processing facilities due to closures. They don’t get paid,” she said.
Financial stress has been exacerbated by the health and family disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nationally, farming and ranching have one of the highest suicide rates of all occupations. According to the Centers for Disease Control, in January 2022, the farmer’s suicide rate was 36 per 100,000.
“We let the farmers take their lives,” Tommel said. “Opioid addiction and alcohol abuse are on the rise. They struggle with depression and anxiety just like everyone else, while also dealing with uncertainty.
After witnessing the impact of COVID on New York farmers, Tommell turned to the New York Farm Net for training to become certified. mental health first aid I am an instructor through the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. NY FarmNet, in collaboration with the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, works at his CCE offices around the state to help people like Tommell and farms.
The program helps these workers recognize and respond to mental health issues unique to farmers and their families. The group also provides free, confidential support to farmers, farm workers, or agribusiness employees across the state.
NY FarmNet has a 24-hour 1-800 phone number and offers an answering service if no one is available immediately, said office manager Kendra Janssen. A consultant will typically contact the caller within 24 hours to assist the caller.
“This is a very unique program in that we have both a business consultant and a mental health or family consultant together as a team,” said Janssen. “Cornell is the only land-grand university with such a program.”
Becky Wiseman, one of NY Farm Net’s consultants and a licensed therapist, works with agricultural business professionals to guide farmers, growers, and workers through tough patches. Together they address issues holistically and provide emotional support along with business and financial advice.
“I often walk into the house thinking I need help dealing with financial problems, and then find out that someone in my family has just died, or that my marriage is in trouble,” she said. Told.
Because the nature of farming can lead to social isolation, Wiseman says farmers often feel they have no one to talk to about their problems.
“And the stigma attached to seeking mental health care is significant,” she said. I’ve heard farmers and farmers say no. I met them at the fire station because they didn’t want their families and workers to know they were asking for help.”
Tommell said CCE specialists are well-positioned to help farmers gain access to NY FarmNet support. “We notice when we’re out in the field, maybe it’s relationship strain with spouses and children, people who don’t take care of themselves or animals,” she said. That’s what we do, and by doing this training, we may be able to spot more subtle signals and help people sooner.”
The Mental Health First Aid course provides mental health first responders with tools to help them engage with farmers who are showing signs of stress. “We talk about the importance of early intervention, how to listen without judgment, assess the situation, provide reassurance that help is available, and encourage appropriate professional help,” says Wiseman. “We don’t diagnose, we don’t look at why people get into stressful situations. We will look at the specific steps that need to be taken as
This training also helps first responders interact with their emotions when encountering difficult situations. “Working closely with the farming community over the past few years, we walked into a situation that was burnt out, exhausted, sad and took it home,” Tommell said. , this training gave me the tools to deal with it.”
Tommel believes that removing mental health stigma and normalizing support are major obstacles that must be overcome. “We need to bring it to the fore, talk about it and create avenues for support. Mental health first aid training will accomplish that.” It’s a big step for.”
Hear more about how CCE is helping New York farmers overcome mental health challenges Extension Out Loud Podcast.
