Rural mental health challenges are drawing increased attention. Rural Mental Health Specialist Monica McConkey says the pressures are stacking up for many producers across the region. “I think it’s a combination of several factors coming together. Of course, our commodity prices play a big role in that, and we’ve had some weather impacts for some of the farmers in the region,” McConkey said. “It’s a compounding, kind of a perfect storm actually, for a lot of stress and anxiety and depression to hit and we have the time of year, the dark cold days certainly don’t help either.” McConkey says awareness around mental health in agriculture has improved, but she urges people to watch closely for warning signs and to keep reaching out. “One of the biggest signs is withdrawal and isolation. If people are just not reaching out in the way they used to, that’s an absolute warning sign,” she said. “If someone is dealing with feelings of hopelessness, the worst thing to do is hold it in and keep it inside of yourself. Reach out to someone, and if that first contact isn’t productive, don’t give up. Keep looking until you find somebody that does understand you.” Click here to listen to the full interview.
