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Injuries or Illnesses, that can happen to farmers while working. Man is using his hand to cover over elbow because of hurt,  pain or feeling ill. Health of agriculturist concept.

Farm Stress Management

  • Food Production Systems
  • Beef
  • Dairy
  • Farm stress
  • AgBiz
  • Sheep goat
  • Soil health
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  • Food Production Systems
  • Beef
  • Dairy
  • Farm stress
  • AgBiz
  • Sheep goat
  • Soil health
  • Weed science
Food Production Systems
  • Beef
  • Dairy
  • Farm stress
  • AgBiz
  • Sheep goat
  • Soil health
  • Weed science
  1. Home/
  2. Extension/
  3. Food Production Systems/
  4. Farm stress

Farm stress management

Farming is one of the most stressful occupations in the U.S. There is not just one source of stress for the American farmer. It is a high-risk profession that ranks among the most hazardous industries in both fatal and nonfatal injuries. UI Extension offers workshops and free mental health training.

Personal stories

Our videos highlight the personal stories of farmers who have faced the unique challenges of life on the land. In these videos, they share their journeys through the ups and downs of farming, shedding light on the pressures they’ve encountered and how they’ve navigated through difficult times. Whether it’s the unpredictability of weather, financial strain or the emotional toll of managing a farm, their experiences provide insight into the realities of farming today. We hope their stories offer comfort, understanding and a sense of solidarity to others in the farming community.

Video covers for dairy insurance and farmers stories
Video covers for dairy insurance and farmers stories
Video covers for dairy insurance and farmers stories
Video covers for dairy insurance and farmers stories
Video covers for dairy insurance and farmers stories

Trainings

Become a source of strength for your community by becoming certified in Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) and Question Persuade Refer (QPR).

What is mental health first aid?

It’s an eight-hour course that instructs its participants to recognize, understand and respond to an individual expressing at-risk behavior and warning signs of mental illness and substance use disorders. It gives its participants the knowledge and confidence to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations. MHFA provides strategies, resources and a concrete action plan so that you can help strangers, friends and even loved ones who may be experiencing a difficult time.

What is question persuade refer?

It’s a one-hour suicide prevention course that trains its attendants to recognize signs of suicide and potentially save a life. This evidence-based emergency mental health intervention gives its participants the confidence to question, persuade and refer someone to help. As with any illness, early detection and action leads to better outcomes.

How you can get involved

UI Extension has trained professionals to provide free trainings in Mental Health First Aid and Question Persuade Refer. A number of MHFA and QPR trainings will be offered throughout the state. To become a source of support for your community, contact Talje Hoene at thoene@uidaho.edu who will help you find a local MHFA or QPR training.

Resources

  • Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program
  • Idaho Department of Agriculture

Emergency resources

If you are in crisis or have an urgent need, please call one of the following for assistance.

  • Idaho Suicide Prevention Hotline (call or text) — 208-398-4357
  • National Suicide Prevention Lifeline — 800-273-8255
  • NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Health) — call 800-950-6264 or text 741741

Note: If you are in imminent danger to yourself or others, please call 911.

Crisis centers in Idaho

Crisis centers are short-term (less than 24 hours) community resources to help individuals experiencing a crisis. Each crisis center has several resources including nurses, clinicians, case managers and peer support specialists. The center is free, safe, private and voluntary. Listed below are crisis centers available and their location in Idaho.

  • Pathways Community Crisis Center of Southwest Idaho — Boise
    http://www.pcccsi.com/
    7192 Potomac Drive, Boise, ID 83704 — Google map 
    1-833-5-CRISIS (27-4747)
  • Western Idaho Crisis Center — Caldwell
    https://www.widccc.org/  
    524 Cleveland Blvd., Suite 160 Caldwell, ID 83605 — Google map 
    208-402-1044
  • Northern Idaho Crisis Center — Coeur d’Alene
    https://www.nicrisiscenter.org/  
    Northern Idaho Crisis Center 
    2195 Ironwood Court, Suite D, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814 — Google map 
    208-625-4884
  • Behavioral Health Crisis Center of East Idaho — Idaho Falls
    https://www.eastidahocrisis.com/  
    1650 N. Holmes Ave., Idaho Falls, Idaho 83401 — Google map 
    208-522-0727
  • Rural Crisis Center Network — Lewiston
    877-897-9027
  • Latah Recovery Center — Moscow
    https://latahrecoverycenter.org/  
    531 S. Main, Moscow, ID 83843 — Google map 
    208-883-1045
  • Southeast Idaho Behavioral Crisis Center — Pocatello
    https://www.seibcc.com/  
    1001 N 7th Ave N Ste 160, Pocatello, ID 83201 — Google map 
    208-909-5177

About farm stress

How serious is farm stress?

When stress is not addressed, persistent or overwhelming, it has detrimental impacts on an individual’s physical and mental health. Chronic stress can be very difficult to manage and hard to see past. People who experience chronic stress can feel trapped, helpless or hopeless. This hopelessness can result in suicide. The suicide rate among U.S. farmers is twice the national rate.

What are some sources of farm stress?

  • Financial pressures
  • Debt load
  • Dependence on unpredictable weather
  • Fatigue
  • Fear of losing the farm
  • Loneliness and social isolation
  • Lack of personal time
  • Volatile markets
  • Extreme work conditions
  • Crop failure or livestock illness
  • Pain from years of physical labor
  • Lack of access to health care

How can I identify farm stress?

  • Physical signs of stress
  • Headaches
  • Memory loss
  • Racing heart
  • Ulcers
  • Sleeping problems
  • Exhaustion
  • Eating problems

Cognitive/emotional signs of stress

  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Anger
  • Low self-esteem
  • Memory loss
  • Lack of concentration
  • Difficulty with simple decisions
  • Loss of spirit

Behavioral signs of stress

  • Passive-aggressive behavior
  • Backbiting
  • Irritability
  • Isolation
  • Violence
  • Drug-use
  • Increased alcohol consumption

What can be done to manage farm stress?

Stress is an unavoidable part of life. Much of farm stress comes from a lack of control over their situation. When control is out of your hands, efforts to minimize stressors and build resilience towards stress are the most fruitful approaches to managing stress. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from negative emotional experiences. Resilience can be built though establishing healthy coping mechanisms and developing wellness strategies. Some strategies include acceptance of a situation, practicing gratitude, exercising, eating well, spending quality time with loved ones, positive self-talk and breath work. To learn more about farm stress management, join us at one of our workshops or contact us.

Meet our people

Lance Hansen

Extension educator and county chair

Bracken Henderson

Extension educator — horticulture, agriculture, 4-H

David Callister

Extension educator and county chair

Talje Hoene

Mental health program coordinator

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