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Reducing Stigma and Sharing Resources this World Mental Health Day

On this World Mental Health Day, October 10, NACD would like to thank our members for the work they do on behalf of conservation districts and their clients.  

Increasingly, farmers, ranchers, natural resource managers, wildland firefighters, and many others are facing unpredictable weather events, new political and operating environments, expanded ranges of invasive and pest species, and a variety of other challenging circumstances.  

Not surprisingly, operating with such unpredictable conditions may have consequences for the mental health of our agriculturalists and others. However, because of the stigma associated with mental health, as well as the limited support that may be available in some areas, individuals may not have access to the support or resources they need to address stress, anxiety, or depression.  

However, many nonprofits and state extension offices provide resources that may be helpful if you find yourself in a position of needing to support others. We’ve gathered some example resources from various state extension services and other organizations below:  

Additionally, some organizations provide funding to support new programs or outreach related to farm stress and mental health. For instance, the Western Regional Agricultural Stress Assistance Program (WRASAP), which supports 17 western states and territories, will offer mini-grants in fiscal year 2025 for programs related to translation, outreach and education, or professional development, all related to mental health.  

The programs covering the remainder of the United States also have a variety of resources available:  

Through a collaboration with the National Farmers Union and Farm Foundation, the Farm Family Wellness Alliance also provides mental health and wellness services through a multi-tiered approach. The first tier is an online community called Togetherall, where farmers and ranchers nationwide can access peer-to-peer support and a wide range of self-paced resources. For those requiring further assistance, licensed clinicians are available for personalized one-on-one support through Personal Assistance Services. The partnership also offers a toolkit that includes various resources that Farmers Union state divisions, leaders, and community members can use to promote this innovative partnership. These free services are open to all Farmers Union members, farmers, ranchers, and rural residents, and we encourage you to share them widely.  

NACD would like to bring awareness to the issue to help reduce stigma and promote the availability of resources that may be helpful, and we encourage individuals to find the medical help or professional support they need. 

If you have additional resources or information to share, please reach out to NACD’s Membership Team.  

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