Counseling, Is it for Me?

By Karen Endres, Farmer Wellness Program Coordinator, Wisconsin Farm Center

Daily farm stress is nothing new for farmers and their families, and not all stress is bad. Generally, stress is a signal telling us that we need to make a change.

In agriculture, many of the daily stressors we encounter are out of our control, like the weather, unpredictable markets and economic uncertainties.

According to John Shutske, Ph.D., an Agricultural Safety and Health Specialist at UW-Madison Professor and UW Extension, “It is important to note that ‘feeling stressed’ is not a sign of weakness or that we lack an ability to cope with daily life. The stress response that occurs when we encounter a threat changes our body and brain chemistry as the body is triggered.”

There can come a time for many of us when farm stress can feel like too much, to the point where it impacts our decision making, physical health, relationships and sleep. When a person experiences these symptoms, it’s time to look to a professional for help.

“Many people think that to talk to a counselor, you need to be diagnosed with a mental illness, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” said Jes Beauchamp, Tele-Counselor and Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a service provider to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection. “Counselors are trained to listen and help you when the stress is too much.”

Yet, there is still a stigma around mental health, which is why many people don’t seek help. A 2019 American Farm Bureau Federation study revealed that a majority of farmers and farmworkers think the media (72%), people in their local community (58%), and their friends (56%) attach at least a fair amount of stigma to mental health.

DATCP’s Wisconsin Farm Center is working with UW Division of Extension, Wisconsin Farm Bureau and many other organizations to help break down the stigma of seeking assistance and to make it easy for farmers to access counseling resources.

“We developed our Farmer Wellness Program knowing that affordability, accessibility, acceptability and awareness can be a barrier to farmers and their families accessing services,” said Karen Endres, Farmer Wellness Program Coordinator for the Wisconsin Farm Center. “Farmers have shared with us that other barriers in seeking treatment include the cost of appointments, embarrassment, not knowing how to find a counselor and awareness of mental health.”

The Farm Center offers Wisconsin farmers and their families a 24/7 wellness helpline (1.888.901.2558), tele-counseling, counseling vouchers and online support groups. The Farm Center has counselors in their network that specialize in substance use, anxiety, depression, family relationships and much more.

“Everyone’s situation is unique, and our dedicated staff work to find which resource is best. If it is counseling, we go the extra mile and find the best fit within our strong network of counselors,” said Endres.

Once the Farm Center has shared counseling options with you, all you need to do is make a call to set-up an appointment. With your permission, counseling vouchers can be sent directly to the provider and your appointment cost will be fully covered. The number and frequency of those sessions is between you and your counseling provider.

For many people, fear of the unknown looms large. Farm Center staff are often asked, “what is a session with a counselor like?” Sessions can seem intimidating but are really just an opportunity for you to share as much or as little as you want.

“We don’t ask you to share all your secrets,” said Beauchamp. “We start off the conversation getting to know each other and then talk about things that are bothering you.”

Of course, not every discussion is easy, and some can bring forth a lot of emotions. Difficult conversations are important to have, however, and can help you gain a different perspective.

“Often, we are so engrained in our behaviors that we don’t even realize how they impact others, or that there is another way to be,” said Beauchamp.

Mental health is just as important as physical health, and the two are often intertwined. Remember to set aside time to take care of yourself and that the Wisconsin Farm Center is there when you need it, providing services that are both free and confidential.

“When looking for advice for your farm, you seek out the best professional you can find. The same should be done when it comes to your mental health,” said Endres. “A healthy farmer equals a healthy farm, so reach out to the Wisconsin Farm Center for assistance and to find the best possible person to talk to.”