Rates for depression are higher in rural America than in urban areas and suicide rates among people living in rural counties are 25% higher than those in major metropolitan areas.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. It is well known how big of a challenge mental health in the U.S. is, but very few realize how rural parts of our country are being impacted. A new nonprofit, Rural Minds, was launched last year to provide rural Americans with efficient access to existing mental health service organizations and address the importance of overcoming the stigma around mental health challenges.
00:00 – The founder of Rural Minds, Jeff Winton, talks about why he started the nonprofit organization to combat mental health challenges in rural America and if progress is being made in breaking down the stigmas that come along with the issue.
23:50 – On this week’s “To the Beat of Agriculture,” hear from a Zanesville resident whose family farm has operated since the 1800s. Learn more about Ohio Farm Bureau State Trustee Matt Bell’s operation and his hopes for the next generation of farmers in his family.
32:20 – Farm Bureau has been working to encourage conversations about stress and mental health to help break the stigma that’s been prevalent in farming and rural communities for far too long. Ray Atkinson, director of communications with the American Farm Bureau Federation, discusses those efforts as well as results from a recent study about inroads being made in the mental health conversation.
42:20 – Dr. Ana Bell, Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation’s statewide health, wellness and special programs director, talks about efforts being made with BWC to offer mental health support and resources to employers and employees throughout the state.
Guests from Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation and the Agricultural Navigator Program discuss the challenges facing farm families, the importance of support systems and the resources available across rural Ohio.
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Ohio needs its farmers — and supporting their mental health is essential to sustaining both the industry and the people who make it thrive.
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Meet Mattea Shockling, agricultural navigator serving Noble, Guernsey and Morgan counties.
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A short conversation over the phone, a quick text message or even finding a small daily habit such as journaling can make a big difference.
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Farmers’ physical and mental health are often compromised by lack of health coverage. Farm Bureau seeks to establish Farm Bureau Health Plans.
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The event focused on the nine dimensions of mental health.
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More seminars are currently in the planning stages, including programs on grass-fed livestock, pasture management, and calving.
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Overcoming this stigma falls upon the shoulders of family, friends, loved ones and the broader community—and it begins with open and honest communication.
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What are the common stressors in Ohio agriculture and how is mental health perceived in rural Ohio? Plus, get details about the upcoming Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium.
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Mental health resources are available to farmers at farmstateofmind.org and the 988 national suicide and crisis hotline.
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