As harvest season ramps up across the country, many farmers are working long hours to bring in this year’s crops. But behind the scenes, there’s a growing concern that’s not as visible as the fields — and that’s farmers’ mental health.
According to Angela Sorg, a Purdue University Health and Human Sciences Extension Educator, farming is more than a job — it’s a way of life. But it’s also a high-stress profession, especially during harvest. Sorg says, “We all have mental health concerns. Every day every one of us gets stressed out. Some of it is good stress, some of it is not so great stress.”
According to recent studies, farmers are significantly more likely to experience depression and anxiety compared to the general population. Long days, unpredictable weather, equipment breakdowns, and market uncertainty all pile up. And for many farmers, the weight can become overwhelming.
“It is all day, every day, 24/7, 365. And what commodity prices look like this year are not going to be the same as what commodity prices look like next year. So you really can’t get into a sense of calm. When you’re in the agricultural community and when you’re a farmer, you cannot rely on that. You are so dependent on so many other things that you really loose your sense of control.” Sorg concluded.
But Sorg has some practical ways to boost your mental health. “Maybe go for an extra walk, or hang out with our dogs, or go see a pretty sunset, read a funny book. Every day we take care of our mental health in hopes that a potential larger issue won’t happen.”
As harvest continues, let’s remember: the health of our farmers is just as important as the health of their crops.
Find the Your Health podcast here:
