Mental Health Resources for Farmers

Jan 28, 2020

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Resources in the U.S.A. and Canada

With all that goes on in the world today, it’s sometimes hard not to feel anxious or even depressed about the future, especially when there are so many elements out of our control in the practice of agriculture. Thousands of people in our industry are struggling daily to turn a profit, to feed their families and to keep the lights on. Not since the 1980s has the pressure on farmers been so intense, and the rise in farmer suicides has been alarming.

We can all feel a little down from time to time, but for some of us, this isn’t just a passing thought or fleeting feeling – it can be a full-time condition worthy of professional attention. As farmers, we are often isolated from resources usually found in cities, including in-person counselling, support groups, psychiatrists and in-patient treatment facilities, but that doesn’t mean we need to suffer in silence. The reality is, farming is incredibly stressful. And with that stress can come feelings of being overwhelmed, worry, frustration, agitation, depression and anxiety.

Sometimes pride can get in the way of even acknowledging we have a problem. Times are changing. There is absolutely no shame in feeling the way you do – it’s not like you asked for it. As a bigger community, farmers are in this together – we have each other, and we can offer support and understanding to those sharing in the experience of modern agriculture. There are also a ton of resources available online and over the phone to help get us back on our feet and working towards a healthier way of being.

At Farms.com we understand where you’re coming from – we are farmers too, after all. We wanted to find a way to help our community, and as a web publisher, we decided to create a large mental health and suicide prevention resource that details available help in all U.S. states and Canadian provinces. We have included farmer-specific resources, support groups, suicide hotline numbers and more. Always remember, you’re not alone and help can be as close as a phone call away.

Video: Will the 2025 USDA December Crop Report Be a Market Mover/Surprise?

Historically, the USDA December crop report is a non-event or another dud report as the USDA reserves any final supply changes to the final report in January of the following year in this case 2026. But after the longest U.S. government shutdown in history at 43 days and no October crop report will they provide more data/surprise and make an exception?
Our China U.S. soybean purchase tracker is now at 26.6% or a total of 3.2 mmt but for traders it’s taking too long to unfold.
The final Stats Canada production report was bearish canola and wheat projection a record crop in both (it adds to the global glut of supplies) and bullish local corn and soybean prices in Ontario/Quebec thanks to a drought. It will not help the fund flow short-term, the USDA may need to offset it?
A U.S. Fed interest rate cut of another 25-basis point next Wednesday (probability 87.1%) could help fund flow and sentiment in stock and ag commodities into year end.
More inflows into Bitcoin this past week saw prices rebound back above 90,000 with support at 82,000 and resistance at 96,000.
A V-shaped bottom in cattle suggest the lows are in after Mexico reported another new world screwworm case. Lower weights, seasonal demand and higher U.S. beef select/choice values with a continued closure of the Mexican border to cattle will result in a resumption of higher cattle futures into yearend.
Australia is expected to produce its 3rd largest wheat crop ever at 36 mmt adding to the global glut of supplies.
Reports of ASF in hogs in Spain the largest pork exporter in Europe could see the U.S. win more pork export business long-term.
If the rains verify into next week of 3-5 inches for Brazil it would go a long way to fixing the dry regions from the last 2-months, but the European weather model has been wrong for the past 2-months!
Natural gas futures are surging to the 3rd price count as frigid hold temps set in.
CDN $ is also surging to end the week on a very resilient economy and better employment numbers suggesting no interest rate cuts next week.
Finally, the CFTC report showed funds were net buyers of soybeans but sellers of corn, canola and wheat. In real time the funds have gone back to selling as they take some profits.