Weathering the mental stress in farming

May 20, 2026 51

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and this is a good time to review ways to reduce mental stress and where to get help. Illinois Extension Educator Doug Gucker wrote this great article on managing stress.

First, if you or someone you know is suffering a mental health crisis, please call or text:

988 – Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (24-hour)
If you are a veteran, call 988 and then press 1 at the prompt

Mental health awareness is especially important for farmers. The suicide rate among farmers is 3.5 times that of the general public, according to a study from the National Rural Health Association. Add to that the recent significant increases in fuel and fertilizer prices, which have added to farmers’ stress. Caring for your own health and wellness in this high-stress profession is often overlooked. It is just as critical as caring for your business.

Here are some practices that may help you to reduce emotional and mental stress:

Healthy living

Give your body the nutrition, hydration, and rest it needs. Eat well, drink plenty of water, and get a good night’s sleep.

Exercise

Physical activity boosts mental health by reducing anxiety, depression, and stress while improving mood, cognitive function, and self-esteem. It works by releasing endorphins, increasing blood circulation to the brain, and providing a healthy distraction from negative thoughts.

Disconnection or unplugging

Stepping away from tasks for as little as 10 minutes has been shown to improve your energy levels, reduce fatigue, lower stress, and boost your performance.

Pausing, meditation, or mindfulness

Any of these practices improves mental health by reducing stress, anxiety, and depression, which lowers cortisol and breaks negative thought patterns. Regular use of these practices (even 10–20 minutes daily) enhances emotional regulation, self-awareness, and calms the mind’s “fight or flight” response. The Illinois Farm Stress and Mental Health website from the University of Illinois Extension features videos explaining various meditation, breathing, and mindfulness techniques to help you manage the stresses of farming and life.

Connection

Connecting with other people (family, friends, social organizations, or your church) reduces our stress hormones and promotes a calming effect.

If these practices do not work for you, do not fear. Help is available and free. Seeking help is a sign of strength and courage. There are resources available to help you or someone you know.

Resources in Illinois

University of Illinois Extension’s Agricultural Mental Health Voucher Program allows agricultural producers and their families to seek help free of charge from a certified mental health professional. Call (217) 333-6205
Southern Illinois University’s Farm Family Resource Initiative is a service where Illinois farm families can receive support from trained professionals who understand the unique challenges faced by those in the agricultural sector. Call (833) 327-6767.
If you are not a farmer, there is the Illinois Warm Line: (866) 359-7953. Warm Line is a peer support line that offers free, confidential emotional support for individuals facing behavioral health and family support challenges.

National Resources

Farm Aid Farmers Hotline: 800-327-6243
Avera Farm and Rural Stress Hotline: 800-691-4336

It is important for all of us to break the stigma around mental health challenges. Encourage those struggling to reach out for help. To build a sustainable future for agriculture, our nation, and our world, we must promote the importance of mental health awareness.

Cheri Burcham, University of Illinois Extension

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Cheri Burcham is responsible for family life programming in the counties of Coles, Cumberland, Douglas, Moultrie, Shelby and other parts of east central Illinois as needed. Cheri’s emphasis is on healthy lifestyles throughout the life span which include family relationships, communication, caregiving, stress management and human development including early childhood and healthy aging. Her passion is to help people to be their best selves and to promote a healthier, independent older population.