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.
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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Farm Bureau realizes that it’s been a rough couple of years between overreaching regulations, severe weather during planting/harvesting season, and…
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See the list of survey winners as well as photos from the fair and the Skillathon.
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Learn about a confidential mental wellness survey you can take to help your community and others like it, and find out about the 988 Lifeline and how it is being put to use across Ohio.
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The comprehensive training Feb. 16 covered general agricultural safety, employee health, and mental health well-being
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