Mental Health and Wellness

   Mental Health in Agriculture

   Even during the best of times, the pressures that farmers face are ever-changing, demanding, and involve high stakes. The nature of the work itself requires that farmers regularly cope with the unknown, and deal with losses despite their best efforts and high-level of technical skill. 


   For many farmers, their very identity is tied to their farm and their business. So when things go poorly, that “failure” is often taken on as a personal failure, even though they did everything right. Additionally, many hesitate to seek help due to stigma around mental illness and limited rural resources.

   National Farmer Crisis Line (24/7)                   1 (866) FARMS-01                   1 (866) 327-6701
   The Farmer's Hierarchy of Needs
Your needs are just as important as the needs of your farm, your animals, your family and your customers.
   If you're feeling overwhelmed and don't know where to begin, refer to the FARMER'S HIERARCHY OF NEEDS to orient yourself and plan what to focus on next.
   It may look a little different than the classic pyramid brought to us by Abraham Maslow, but it is designed with your lifestyle in mind        
Fig. 1      Everyone has needs, and sometimes the sheer volume of daily tasks required to care four ourselves can make it seem like an impossible task to stay on top of. Click a layer to learn more.
Fig. 2       By using a process of segmented prioritization, follow the pyramid bottom-up and clear each layer before moving to the level above. 
   How to Use the Pyramid
   The pyramid is like a priority ladder for your needs. The bottom levels are the foundation, your body and safety. If these aren’t met, it’s very hard to focus on anything else.
   Start by meeting your basic needs like food and safety, then focus on the higher levels. Give priority to the area that feels most lacking or stressful.
   The higher levels include wellness indicators such as purpose, mastery, and personal growth—which matter more only once the lower levels are reasonably stable.