STANDING TOGETHER How the Agriculture Community is Addressing Mental Health from the National Cattlemen’ s Beef Association
While farming and ranching is a lifestyle loved by cattle producers across the country, it comes with its fair share of challenges. Whether it is unpredictable and uncontrollable weather, turbulent markets or complex family dynamics, farm and ranch families across the country are balancing the responsibilities of everyday life and maintaining a viable business. These stressors can certainly take a toll on one’s mental health. However, mental health is a topic that the agricultural community has historically shied away from talking about. According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, 59% of rural Americans believe there is stigma around discussing mental health. As a result, some folks have decided it’s time to start directly tackling this issue. “We’ve really felt the need within our communities,” said Marshal Wilson, co-director of New Mexico State University’s Southwest Border Food Protection and Emergency Preparedness Center. “At first we were careful about how we talked about it, but we need to address it head on.” Wilson stressed the importance of local support for bringing awareness to mental health resources within communities. “It’s got to be a culture change. There’s got to be a movement within our communities,” he explained. Across the country, others are joining Wilson’s cause to combat the stigma of talking about mental health, and they are working to bring resources to typically underserved areas. Whether it’s through open discussions, formal trainings or federally funded programs, the work being done is critical to ensure the health and safety of those who have made it their life mission to conserve the land and feed the world.
26 California Cattleman June 2022
Starting the Conversation “The first thing you have to do is care,” said Warren Symens, a fourth-generation cattlemen from Amherst, South Dakota. Symens believes that the best way to address mental health issues is to openly talk about them. Instead of pretending like the stress of ranching doesn’t bother him, he has decided to be honest about his own experience, even taking to social media to tell his story. While he recognizes the importance of professional counselors, he questions how many of them truly understand the unique circumstances in rural America. As someone who understands the lifestyle — because he lives it — he believes it is important to be open to tough conversations and show empathy to fellow producers when they are navigating challenging circumstances. “Those of us that have the background have to show empathy,” he said. Recognizing the Signs Nathan Lawson, a cattle producer from Spencer County, Kentucky, also understands the need to openly discuss the difficulties that producers experience. In respect to that, he helped spearhead two initiatives that facilitate those conversations. Lawson participated in a roundtable of leaders representing various sectors of the Kentucky agriculture industry. From that meeting, the group secured funding from the Kentucky Beef Council for a program in which the University of Kentucky’s College of Nursing and College of Agriculture partner to host events that bring awareness to mental health. In addition, members of the
