This last year of uncertainty has been tough on farm families. According to a 2019 poll commissioned by the American Farm Bureau Federation, financial issues, farm or business problems and fear of losing the farm are all significant concerns affecting mental health.
The poll, which was conducted well before the pandemic, also revealed nearly half of rural adults said they were personally experiencing more mental health challenges than a year prior. Stress invoked by 2020 challenges has likely just escalated those mental health concerns.
“This year has been an especially difficult year for so many with COVID-19 compounding the challenges farmers were already facing,” confirms Tara Durbin, senior vice president for agricultural lending for Farm Credit Mid-America. “Our commitment to stand beside farmers and their families in both good and challenging times hasn’t changed. Whether farmers are struggling or experiencing significant life changes, we want them to know there are resources available to them, and we’re proud to be able to offer one of them in the form of LifeWorks.”
Farm Credit Mid-America’s new LifeWorks Resource Program is a free resource available to customers and their families to navigate a variety of personal and work-related challenges. In addition to weather, trade policy and commodity price challenges, customers deal with the ups and downs of everyday life issues, including managing stress, anxiety and depression, finding child and elder care, strengthening relationships and improving communication.
“Our purpose to secure the future of rural communities and agriculture has never been more important,” says Durbin, citing the Farm Bureau poll that found that 31% of rural adults have personally sought mental health care, and 24% have a family member who has sought care for a mental health condition. In addition, 66% of farmers and farm workers polled said it is important to reduce the stigma about mental health in agriculture.
“We find we can all use a listening ear from time to time, and LifeWorks is just one additional way to extend support for the many challenges and changes life may bring,” she says.
Through LifeWorks, Farm Credit Mid-America customers or their family members may speak with an experienced counselor who will listen and offer support to help lead to a resolution. The program offers immediate, confidential access to information and one-on-one support 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Support services range from resolving emotional difficulties to dealing with stress, anxiety or depression to finding local resources to reach life goals.
The LifeWorks Resource Program is available in Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee.
“Farming is a challenging profession, and as a cooperative, we see firsthand how tough the business can be for our owner-customers. We’ve always put our customers at the heart of everything we do, and that means seeking ways to support their well-being,” says Durbin. “It’s another benefit of belonging to a customer-owned cooperative.”
For online or telephone support, visit https://e-farmcredit.com/lifeworks-resource-program.
For additional resources from Farm Credit Mid-America to help reach your financial goals, visit https://e-farmcredit.com/ or click here to learn more about Navigating Your Balance Sheet.
