May is Mental Health Awareness Month and an initiative taken up highlighting mental health in the ag community is promoting a new component for help.
Lynn Weis (Wise) is the Community Health Worker from the Farm Family Resource Initiative at the Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development through the Southern Illinois University School of Medicine. She says this resource is for anyone in an ag-related field.
Weis explains the initiative takes resources to the farmers for help. She calls farm families resilient though there are times that some may need to talk to someone and they provide that opportunity.
Ag is facing some of the most uncertain times in recent memory and farmer suicides have increased so much that it is an industry that is among the highest suicide rate. Weis says farmers face a lot of pressure to continue despite these challenges.
Weis says the hotline and website have been a go-to resource for a while now but in recent months they've added a text line for those in the ag world to reach out to.
Those on social media are encouraged to promote the initiative by using the hashtag - #weallneedsomeonewecantalkto or #farmSOS. Again you can call or text -833-FARMSOS (833-327-6767), email farmfamilyfesource-helpline@mhsil.com. There are also a couple of web resources you can find at dewittdailynews.com today.
