Making mental health a priority on the farm

Sunday October 10th marked "World Mental Health Day" a day designed to promote awareness of Mental Health.

Over the last few years there's been a real push in the ag sector to realize the importance of focusing on your own mental health and reaching out for support.

For producers there's a number of factors that go into raising livestock or growing a crop that are out of their control.

That's everything from the weather to markets, government regulations, inflation, and geo-political influences not to mention just the daily life challenges from finances to family.

Farmer Matt Kelly understands the issue only too well based on his own experience.

"I can only speak to about myself and what I went through. It's a very confusing thing, and not understanding it. You know, sometimes people have a hard time putting it into words. Just understanding that can be as simple as making a phone call, talking to a neighbor or a confidant. Not just sitting on the tractor and getting caught up in it in your mind and stuff. Finding different outlets in order to get rid of that anxiety (that I deal with) or that mental health issue. You know trying to understand it and put it to words, I think is a difficult thing. But working through it, and just being honest with yourself, not trying to suffer in silence. You know, maybe pick up that phone and have that simple conversation if that helps, but also utilizing some of the things that are already out there like the farmer stress line. You know, there's a lot of good things that come from it and not to be fearful of it. Don't just sit and suffer in silence and not understand what to do. You know, there are people out there that can help. Just be honest with yourself it will get better, and you have to believe in that."