Sioux City, Iowa (KCAU) — Harvest season is not only physically exhausting for farmers, but mentally as well.
Iowa State University (ISU) extension and outreach staff have conducted more than 1,500 one-on-one meetings with farmers about mental health resources since August 2021, but local farmers still says there is work to be done.
John Gunderson is a Yankton farmer. Over the years, he said, he knows farmers who struggle with mental health on a daily basis.
“I know someone who committed suicide,” he said. “I’ve seen what happens when frustration and depression get so bad. I’ve seen lives really take a toll.”
He said there are resources available, but not enough to meet demand, and too many farmers choose not to seek any help.
“The hardest part is convincing people to go get help,” he said. “You still come back to the stigma of mental illness and the stigma of asking for help and getting help.”
Debbie Borg is a farmer from Surand. She said she is frustrated by the extreme drought in Sooland, but accepting that she has no control is part of being a farmer, she said. I was.
“Since the beginning of agriculture, we have been dependent on the weather. We have to work with Mother Nature. Having faith is very important to get us through this difficult time,” she said. said.
Amy Bloch is executive director of Catholic Charities, a group that provides mental health services to adults and children.
Bloch said irritability, sleep deprivation and mood swings can all be signs of mental health problems, and it’s up to the family to ask the tough questions.
“Ask how the individual is doing,” said Bloch. “Do they have signs of depression? Do they have suicidal thoughts? It may be difficult, but it’s a really important question to ask openly.”
According to Bloch, the suicide rate among farmers is 1.5 times higher than among workers in other industries. Iowa provides a hotline for farmers to reach out for stress assistance.
For service call 800-447-1985 or here.
