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September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Did you know? Suicide rates among farmers are six times higher than the national average. 

The Got Your Back campaign website reads, “Agriculture is the No. 1 industry in Ohio. We know our farmers give so much of themselves to keep the industry strong. We also know so many factors in farming are out of a farmer’s control, and that can be stressful. Wondering if the weather will cooperate, long hours working alone – it can all affect the well-being of the farm family.”

Highland County Farm Bureau was honored to play a role in the Harvesting Healthy Minds event held Sept. 7 at the Highland County Fair. Attendees were welcomed on a crisp morning with a warm breakfast and friendly faces. Speaker Jason Meadows, producer of Ag State of Mind, joined us from Cuba, Missouri. Jason touched on the importance of self care for the overall well-being of yourself, family and farm. These things certainly don’t always come easy to the family patriarch! Following Jason’s candid and practical speech, Ohio Farm Bureau Senior Director of Communications and Media Relations, Ty Higgins, moderated a Q&A alongside Jason and Nathan Brown. Nathan Brown, from Highland County, is a strong advocate for mental health in agriculture and currently serves on the Ohio Farm Bureau State Board of Trustees, representing Adams, Brown Clermont and Highland counties.  

This event was made possible by partnerships with the Highland County Community Action,  Hope House Christian Counseling Center, Ohio Department of Mental Health, OSU Extension, Highland County District Hospital, Highland County Suicide Prevention Coalition, Highland County Health Department, Highland County SWCD and several more local partners.

Visit American Farm Bureau’s Farm State of Mind website for more mental health resources.