Rural America needs consistent access to adequate healthcare, including mental, specialty and telehealth options, ideally from professional providers who understand farmers and their unique challenges. Farmers are gamblers, juggling variables and balancing uncontrollable pressures from weather, commodity prices and the pressure of maintaining a multi-generational legacy. Coupled with a “go it alone” mentality many farmers embrace, they face undeniable pressure to tough it out in the face of adversity.
The stress of farm life is at a critical state with Covid-19 impacts, trade wars, natural disasters, depressed commodity prices, labor shortages and other factors. Given these ongoing challenges, it’s no surprise that more farmers and farm families are experiencing stress and health issues.
These issues could be mitigated by improving rural access to well-trained health professionals, reliable broadband and means of breaking through the stigma of mental health. Rural broadband is essential to modern agriculture and the quality of life for rural Americans.
Thoughts to Consider
- How could we increase the number of mental health professionals who are trained and/or specialize in working with farming clients? Is this a certification program or a specialization?
- What are the opportunities for addressing these issues in the 2023 Farm Bill?
- Should Farm Bureau support increased access to teletherapy resources?
- How could Farm Bureau help dispel the stigma surrounding mental health issues? What resources, information or support is needed?
- Should Farm Bureau policy clearly promote equal and reliable access to healthcare in rural Michigan?
- What partnerships, incentives or action might expedite improving rural broadband access throughout Michigan?
Policy References
MFB Policy #42 Michigan State University
Additional Resources
National Rural Health Association
MSU Extension Managing Farm Stress
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