Mental Health

"Tell Us Something Good" Focuses on What’s Going Right in Veterinary Medicine

Fri, 01 May 2026 14:52:05 GMT

As Mental Health Awareness Month begins, a new veterinary initiative is asking a simple question: What’s going right in practice?

Nonprofit Project Sticker has launched the “ Tell Us Something Good ” campaign, inviting veterinary professionals to share small, meaningful moments from their work. The effort is part of a broader push to support veterinary teams earlier, with a focus on connection, accessibility and day-to-day well-being.

What the Campaign Is

The concept is straightforward: Veterinary professionals share one positive moment from their day, whether clinical, client-related or team-based.

That simplicity is intentional. The campaign is designed to fit into the existing rhythm of practice, not sit alongside it. It also aligns with Project Sticker’s wider work to make mental health support more visible and easier to access across the profession.

Rather than positioning itself as a solution to burnout, the initiative offers a small, repeatable action that can complement broader support systems.

Why This Approach, Why Now

The campaign draws on principles from Positive Psychology, particularly the idea that reflecting on meaningful experiences can help reinforce resilience and purpose.

That framing comes at a time when many veterinary professionals report ongoing stress, anxiety or uncertainty about staying in the field. Project Sticker’s approach doesn’t attempt to counter those realities — it adds something that is often less visible: shared, everyday evidence of meaning in the work.

In practice, those moments are easy to overlook. A case that improves, a client who expresses gratitude, a team that works seamlessly under pressure — these events happen regularly, but rarely get named.

The campaign centers on making them visible.

Why This Matters in Practice

For clinics, the appeal is practical. The approach requires little time or structure and can be incorporated without adding to workload.

Examples include:

Opening rounds with a quick “something good”
Brief team check-ins during demanding weeks
Informal recognition of patient or client wins

These small shifts align with a broader move toward earlier, proactive support, rather than waiting until stress escalates.

They also reinforce factors tied to retention, including team connection, recognition and sense of purpose.

A Broader Goal: Keeping People in the Profession

The campaign connects to a larger objective: helping veterinary professionals stay in practice.

Project Sticker’s work focuses on reducing mental health crisis rates and improving retention by making support more accessible and easier to engage with in everyday settings.

Within that framework, “Tell Us Something Good” serves as a low-barrier entry point — one that emphasizes consistency over complexity. This initiative reflects a shift in how veterinary mental health is being approached: not just reducing strain, but reinforcing what sustains people in the work.

It’s simple — and that’s likely the point.

Finding Peace: Managing Mental Health During the Holiday Season

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 18:34:07 GMT

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration and togetherness. For many, however, it is also a period marked by increased stress and mental health challenges. The reality is that the rites and rituals of the season sometimes come with pressures that can be difficult to manage.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults’ experiences mental health struggles. This statistic is a stark reminder that these challenges are pervasive, impacting individuals of all backgrounds and life circumstances. What’s more revealing is that three out of four people report a worsening of their mental health during the holiday season.

Common Stressors and Their Impact
There are several factors that contribute to this heightened stress. Financial pressures are a significant concern, as individuals grapple with the expectation of gift-giving, hosting and traveling. Coupled with these financial worries is the potential conflict with family members, which can strain relationships rather than bring people closer.

The loss of loved ones also becomes more pronounced during the holidays, as memories of past celebrations might bring feelings of longing rather than comfort. Moreover, the busy schedules that come with holiday preparations can leave little room for self-care or relaxation, further exacerbating feelings of stress and anxiety.

Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress
Ohio State University’s College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers these options if you notice your mental health worsening during the holidays.

Practice self-care. What activities help you feel refreshed or relaxed? Taking a walk around your property, watching a favorite movie or driving through a Christmas light display in your community are all simple activities that can bring happiness.
Avoid negative coping strategies. It is common for people to enjoy alcoholic beverages, but excessive drinking to change your mood can harm your physical and mental health.
Set healthy boundaries. It is okay to say “no” or “not right now.” If your schedule is too busy, consider limiting the number of invitations you accept. If family gatherings are a little contentious, plan to stay for only an hour or two.
Follow your routine. Enjoy holiday treats and remember your veggies and protein. Settle in for a fun movie night and aim for seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Proper rest and nutrition help your mental health tremendously.
Acknowledge your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or family member and tell them how you feel. Sometimes, just saying words out loud can help remove a burden from our minds. Your loved ones might also be able to provide additional support.

Help is Available:

988 – call or text this number 24/7 to be connected to the Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline. A trained counselor will listen to you, support you and share resources in your area.
741741 – text the Crisis Lifeline 24/7 to connect with a trained counselor.
911 – if you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a medical emergency, call emergency services immediately.

Understanding the factors that contribute to the decline in mental health during the holidays is the first step toward managing them effectively. By recognizing and addressing the triggers, you can regain a sense of peace and joy during what is meant to be a festive time. Remember, taking care of your mental health should always be a priority, holiday season or not.

Your Next Read:
Saying Goodbye to Dad: A Farmer’s Journey with Grief

Don't Break, Build: A Farmer's Playbook for Taking Control of Your Mind

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 19:49:03 GMT

It was already shaping up to be one of those days.

An unexpected bill is due, and the money just isn’t there. The kids are fighting again. Understandably, your wife is over it, and now it’s your fault. One of your employees just called to say the new group of wean pigs is sick. It’s all a part of a life, but sometimes it just stacks up to be too much.

“In a world of unpredictability with so many factors at play on any given day, it’s easy to be mentally or emotionally hijacked by elements out of our control,” says Athena Diesch-Chham with Restorative Path Counseling and Wellbeing. “Stress and anxiety thrive in this environment. However, the long-term effects of that are real.”

Farming stress will never go away, so how can you get more grit or become more resilient to that stress?

One expert says it starts by paying attention to the present.

“Don’t think about what happened yesterday or worry about what is happening tomorrow,” says Cheri Burcham, with University of Illinois Extension. “Focus on what you are doing and feeling in the very moment.”

Diesch-Chham likes to think of it as “being where your feet are.”

“So often brains are hijacked by stress and launch us mentally to a different space either in the past or in the future,” Diesch-Chham adds. “Mindfulness is just asking for our whole selves to be here in this moment, wherever our feet are planted.”

Pay Attention

This concept of truly being “in the moment” not only reduces stress, but research shows it can also lower blood pressure, increase immunity and reduce anxiety and depression, Burcham says.

When you intentionally notice where you are, you can recognize potential challenges sooner, says Abigail Cudney with Michigan State University Extension . Instead of habitually reacting to stress with intense anger, emotional shutdown, negative thinking or overthinking, this intentional awareness helps rewire the brain through a process called neuroplasticity, or the brain’s ability to grow and adapt to new experiences.

Consider the attention you pay when walking through the barn. You use all your senses to make assessments and determine what’s going on all around you.

“Whether it’s walking the barn or enjoying the fall scenery, naming something you are currently experiencing for each of the five senses is another way to practice mindfulness,” Diesch-Chham says. “This doesn’t have to be complicated – the whole goal is to bring mind and body to the same place.”

5 Senses Technique

Just Breathe

The fight or flight response animals have when stress strikes is the same thing that happens in people. As a review, the vagus nerve, which runs from the base of the brain and branches out to the organs, serves as a conduit of chemicals/hormones that are activated automatically/reflexively by the sympathetic nervous system. This is an involuntary and adaptive process that increases respiration and blood flow to prepare the body for quick and protective action, such as fighting or fleeing. Once the perceived threat has passed or been managed successfully, the stress response also passes and respiration, blood pressure, and heart rate return to a normal steady state, according to the Yale School of Medicine .

Through deep breathing, the vagus nerve can be stimulated intentionally to help restore, mitigate and even prevent these physical and psychological reactions. Slow, even breaths that originate deep within the abdomen stimulate the vagus nerve in a way that signals safety and cues the body and mind to relax, restore, and release chronic and unhealthy patterns.

“Deep breathing can be practiced anywhere and in so many ways – so it is very accessible and easy for farmers to practice,” Burcham explains. “Practice in the field or even while operating machinery.”

Let Go of What You Can’t Control

Perhaps one of the biggest advantages of “being where your feet are” is realizing you can’t control it all.

“Working towards recognizing what truly is within our individual control and then choosing to focus our energy on managing what we can control to improve our overall mental health and stress, helps us remain resilient through the pieces that are outside of our control,” Diesch-Chham says.

Adversity happens. Markets will crash. Animals will get sick. Disease will strike. Families will argue. But you can recover faster from those stresses by staying grounded in the moment, aligning your thoughts and emotions with reality.

Resources to Help Build Resilience:
North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Center

Mindfulness: University of Illinois Extension

Building Resilience with Mindfulness

Healthy Minds, Healthy Farms: Putting People First During National Farm Safety and Health Week

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 18:58:32 GMT

Farm Health and Safety Week is a chance to focus on something agriculture often overlooks: the health of the people who make it all possible. Veterinarians and producers alike pour their energy into the care of livestock, but the demands of the job can take a toll on both body and mind. Protecting your health is not selfish, it’s the foundation for sustaining your animals, your business and your community.

The challenges of farming and veterinary work are not only physical. Stress, financial pressure, unpredictable weather, disease outbreaks and tough animal welfare decisions can all weigh heavily on the minds of both veterinarians and producers. Mental health is inseparable from physical health; stress increases fatigue, reduces immunity and makes injuries more likely.

Andi Davison, licensed veterinary technician and positive change agent with Flourish Veterinary Consulting, recognizes the importance of allowing yourself to focus on your own mental health

“We are very good at focusing on our patients and our clients and our communities and our farms and our agriculture because it matters, and it all depends on the veterinary professionals and producers that are out there in the field doing the things,” Davison says. “It’s really easy to forget how valuable we are as professionals to that equation. I really believe that starting with a mindset that gives us permission to see ourselves as a valuable contributor is critical.”

Veterinarian Isolation

One of the biggest mental challenges facing bovine veterinarians on a daily basis is isolation. Often you’re traveling alone from farm to farm without a co-worker to share the time with. It’s worth considering and checking in with yourself about what makes you feel best. Davison recommends using the drive between farms to employ some strategies for a mental reset. These strategies can differ based on your personality.

For an introvert, this could include inward reflection on your last visit, listening to a podcast, pulling over to meditate or jamming out to your favorite album; for an extrovert, this could include calling someone to chat.

“When you get to the next farm, you set that intention of: ‘Okay, I worked through that, I reflected on my first stop. I took that space in between, and now I’m going to show up at my next stop in a way that I want to,’” Davison suggests. “The great thing about it is that you can do it in between stops, in between calls, in between farms; fit it in where it works best for you as an individual.”

Let’s Talk About It

Breaking the stigma around mental health is essential. Open conversations help normalize seeking help, whether through a professional counselor, a trusted peer, or a community support group. Small steps also make a difference: staying connected socially, setting aside even short periods of time for rest or hobbies and recognizing when stress is becoming overwhelming.

Importantly, both veterinarians and producers are in a position to check in on each other. A simple question like “how are you holding up” can open the door to vital conversations.

“Something that allows food medicine to stand out a little bit from the other facets of veterinary medicine is that quite often, the producer and the veterinarian are on the same page because their goals are very similar,” Davison says. “Whether that relationship involves discussing mental health, I bet you it does in some and it doesn’t in others. But I would encourage that conversation because the goals are similar. They’re out there doing it day in and day out, just like the veterinarian is. I would imagine that is a critical conversation to be had.”

Making mental health a part of everyday farm and clinic conversations can go a long way.

A Culture of Health in Agriculture

It’s important to recognize that there are resources out there, there are communities you can join, and there are connections that can be made. Interaction with others can go a long way to improving your mental health.

Healthy people build healthy farms. By allowing yourself to care for your mental well-being, veterinarians and producers can create a more sustainable future for themselves and their communities. National Farm Safety and Health Week is not only a reminder of the risks of agricultural work, but also an opportunity to commit to better habits, stronger support systems, and a shared responsibility for health.

Your Next Read: Bulls, Gates and Risks: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Farm Safety

12 Tips If You’re Feeling Isolated and Lonely

Tue, 27 May 2025 17:22:56 GMT

Mental health is not a luxury – it’s foundational to every part of life, including showing up for family and friends, holding a job, getting through school, enjoying rest and relaxation, and simply being able to connect with others.

Rural Minds, a non-profit organization that serves as the informed voice for mental health in rural America, encourages individuals to seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation. If you are feeling lonely, here are some steps that can help you build social connection:

Understand the power of social connection and the consequences of social disconnection by learning how the vital components (structure, function and quality) can impact your relationships, health and well-being.
Invest time in nurturing your relationships through consistent, frequent, and high-quality engagement with others. Take time each day to reach out to a friend or family member.
Minimize distraction during conversation to increase the quality of the time you spend with others. For instance, don’t check your phone during meals with friends, important conversations, and family time.
Seek out opportunities to serve and support others, either by helping your family, co-workers, friends, or strangers in your community or by participating in community service.
Be responsive, supportive and practice gratitude. As we practice these behaviors, others are more likely to reciprocate, strengthening our social bonds, improving relationship satisfaction, and building social capital.
Actively engage with people of different backgrounds and experiences to expand your understanding of and relationships with others, given the benefits associated with diverse connections.
Participate in social and community groups such as fitness, religious, hobby, professional and community service organizations to foster a sense of belonging, meaning and purpose.
Reduce practices that lead to feelings of disconnection from others. These include harmful and excessive social media use, time spent in unhealthy relationships, and disproportionate time in front of screens instead of people.
Seek help during times of struggle with loneliness or isolation by reaching out to a family member, friend, counselor, health care provider or the 988 crisis line.
Be open with your health care provider about significant social changes in your life, as this may help them understand potential health impacts and guide them to provide recommendations to mitigate health risks.
Make time for civic engagement. This could include being a positive and constructive participant in political discourse and gatherings (e.g., town halls, school board meetings, local government hearings).
Reflect the core values of connection in how you approach others in conversation and through the actions you take. Key questions to ask yourself when considering your interactions with others include: How might kindness change this situation? What would it look like to treat others with respect? How can I be of service? How can I reflect my concern for and commitment to others?

Your Next Read: Rural Minds: Breaking the Silence Around Mental Health in Agriculture

Don’t Ignore the Nudge: Why Listening Matters More Than You Think

Thu, 15 May 2025 14:43:08 GMT

Have you ever found yourself unsure of how to take a step forward? I clearly remember a day last summer when I was out of time. The procrastination needed to stop. I had an hour-long talk to prepare for and my mind was blank.

Of course, I realized this was not a good situation to be in. Sure, I had my topic and key points, but in my mind, it needed a dash of heart.

Then, my phone buzzed.

At first, I ignored it. I didn’t have time to get sidetracked. But I eventually checked it. It was Maddie, a young woman and friend who shared her vulnerable and powerful story with me a few years ago about her attempts at suicide.

Start the Conversation
She texted, “I know you’ve been so busy lately and I didn’t want to bother you. But I’ve been thinking about this all day and felt urged to share this story with you.”

Maddie had been speaking on her mental health journey in front of a group of farmers in Ohio. She didn’t know anyone at the event and admittedly, was a little nervous to share her story. When she arrived, a middle-aged man in work boots and overalls came right over to her and asked if he could help carry her things.

She politely said, “Sure, I’d love that.”

They got to talking as they carried in her tubs of stuff. Eventually they got to the reason she was in Ohio to speak.

This 250-lb. farmer then teared up and said, “I know why you are here. Ma’am, I just thought you should know that you’re the reason I’m here.”

Although the details of his story are not what matters here, he was contemplating suicide when he scrolled upon Maddie’s story on Facebook .

“For whatever reason, I saw your parents’ side of the story first,” he told her. “I decided that I didn’t want my wife and children to find me like that. I didn’t want to leave them like that.”

I messaged back to my friend and said, “Wow. I don’t know what else to say.”

She simply responded that she didn’t know what to say in that moment either. So, she hugged him hard and that was it.

“It was exceptionally hard to compose myself the rest of the day,” Maddie texted back. “Thank you, Jennifer. You took a chance on me and whether you know it or not, you saved a life, too. I was just a small part in it.”

‘Fine’ Doesn’t Cut It
Can I be honest that I felt completely uncomfortable when she said this? (And even more so sharing this with you.) But in that moment, I was reminded that the very best thing we can do in this world is listen to others. We think we need to say something back or have the right words, but we don’t.

People just want to be heard. They want to be known. They may not say it out loud, but as humans, one of our greatest needs is to be understood by someone.

We all have stories that need to be shared, and we need people to step in and listen to them. Listening is one of the most powerful healing tools.

Almost a year ago, I wrote about my friend Mary and how she takes the time to truly see people . She’s a busy lady and balances several jobs and volunteer opportunities. But she is never too busy to genuinely look you in the eye and ask you how you are doing. Mary doesn’t ask in a way that gives you any option except to say how you are really doing. ‘Fine’ doesn’t cut it with her.

I hope you don’t let ‘fine’ cut it in your life, either. Pay attention to the people you run into every day and the people you love who you don’t get to see very often. I’m thankful Maddie didn’t ignore the nudge to text me that day. She gave me just the dash of heart I needed.

Your Next Read: By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

May is Mental Health Awareness Month . Millions of Americans live with mental health conditions. Whether by sharing your story, spreading awareness, or advocating for change, every action helps break the stigma and build a more supportive world for all.

Take the Stress Out of Social Media: Navigate Detractors

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 15:14:33 GMT

Have you ever wanted to post on social media but were worried about potential backlash? You want to share your farm, but are worried about receiving potentially negative comments about sow housing? Maybe you are worried about getting tough questions about the use of hormones or antibiotics when it comes to feeding your animals or treating them for illnesses?

Unfortunately, this scenario is all too common for farmers, veterinarians and others in the ag community advocating for animal agriculture on social media. Negative comments have the potential to steer the conversation down an unproductive path. However, if you know how to handle contentious issues online then you can help people understand the animal agriculture community’s commitment to animal care, responsible antibiotic use, sustainability and other core values.

Before deciding how (and if) to respond to comments, take a deep breath and ask yourself a few key questions:

1. Is the comment relevant or is it completely off-topic?

2. Who has made the comments? Are they genuinely curious or are they a known extreme animal rights activist?

3. Consider, “Is it possible they have a different perspective?” or “Is there something that could have shaped this person’s opinion?”

4. Will responding to the comment help other people who will read your response?

If the person has left a completely irrelevant comment, don’t feel obligated to respond. If the comment included offensive remarks, feel confident in hiding the comment or blocking the person from commenting again. Remember, your social media page is your space, and you can set community guidelines.

Depending on who has left the comment can determine how you respond. By clicking on the commentor’s profile you can quickly learn if their comments come from a place of true concern and interest, like a parent concerned about feeding his or her children safe, nutrient-dense foods, or potentially an animal rights extremist with no intention of having a productive conversation about animal agriculture.

If you have concluded that the commenter is likely not open to having a dialogue, still ask yourself if responding to the comment will help others understand your perspective. Social media is a very public space and there are many more people reading your posts and comment sections than actually engaging.

Once you have asked yourself these questions and have decided that responding is your next step, look for common ground on a related topic – such as food safety and family values. Before jumping into the safety and animal welfare benefits of using antibiotics, validate their concerns and offer empathy. Then, ask permission to share your personal experience with using antibiotics on the farm. If the conversation is going well, follow up with the science and offer resources or other people to follow on social media if they are interested in learning more.

Most importantly, know that you can always ask for help. Bring in your friends who also have experience responding to contentious issues, reach out to your local partners, or the Animal Agriculture Alliance to help you moderate difficult conversations.

This is just a preview of the content and training available in the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s Animal Ag Allies program. To sign up to become an Animal Ag Ally, go to and fill out the interest form to join our next class!

Your Next Read: Build Your Team Across the Entire Supply Chain

Burnout and Mental Wellbeing: How Do Food Animal Veterinarians Compare?

Thu, 12 Sep 2024 15:42:37 GMT

Burnout, fatigue, dissatisfaction and high suicide rates. Despite recent gloomy reports about the mental wellbeing of veterinarians, a new study shows veterinarians are generally more satisfied with their careers when compared to the general U.S. population, with 77% expressing extreme or moderate satisfaction.

“We’re getting a glimpse that the reality of veterinary medicine is actually more positive than the perception,” says Emily Byers Taylor, a technical services veterinarian at Merck Animal Health. “That’s so encouraging to see.”

Merck Animal Health recently completed its 4th biennial Veterinary Wellbeing Survey in the U.S. shedding light on burnout, wellbeing and mental health in the veterinary profession. Among the 4,634 veterinary respondents to the Veterinary Wellbeing Survey, only 2% identified as food animal veterinarians. To gain insights into this specific cohort, the company analyzed and compared them to their veterinary peers.

What Makes Food Animal Veterinarians Different?
The food animal veterinarian profile differs from that of general veterinarians. Not only do they have a higher proportion of males and are more likely to live in rural areas, particularly in the Midwest, but they also include a larger representation of both Baby Boomers and Generation Z.

Of particular note, Taylor says food animal veterinarians also exhibited lower burnout rates, improved wellbeing and experienced less mental health distress compared to other veterinarians.

On average, food animal vets worked 25% more hours (50 hours) compared to companion animal vets, despite earning a comparatively lower income. However, they managed to find similar amounts of leisure time as other veterinarians. They were more likely to socialize with friends and engage in volunteer activities than other practice types, the survey showed.

“Work schedules are improving,” Taylor says. “We are starting to see improvements, which is fantastic. Fewer veterinarians worked extended hours in 2023 compared with other years. In the most recent study, the percentage of veterinarians working on evenings, weekends and holidays went down, so that followed the overall trend for hours being worked.”

Food animal veterinarians reported higher levels of career satisfaction (83% extremely or moderately satisfied) compared to other practice types such as companion and equine practices. The most likely reason for leaving the profession now is actually retirement, she adds. The majority of veterinarians are staying in the veterinary field through retirement. Less than 2.5% of veterinarians under the age of 55 are likely to leave the profession within the next two years.

“We see that job satisfaction improves with age, and more than 50% of the veterinarians over 45 are either very or extremely satisfied with their jobs. We see the least satisfaction in our youngest veterinarians in that first decade of practice,” she points out.

Food animal vets tend to volunteer more than other veterinarians, the study showed.

“To me, that speaks to our sense of community and our sense of responsibility to where we live, work and serve,” Taylor says.

In addition, Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) have seen an increase in adoption since previous surveys, but food animal veterinarians are less likely to have access to EAPs and mental health coverage compared to their companion animal counterparts.

“We do have some areas still where we can improve, like expanding access to employee assistance programs and mental health care insurance options that provide mental health care. I think when we look at that compared to the rest of the veterinary community, we’ve still got some room to grow,” she notes. “But overall, I am proud to see the resilience and sense of pride in our profession.”

Work That Matters
When evaluating personality types, food animal veterinarians scored lower on the neuroticism scale. This is interesting because the neuroticism scale is an important predictor and measure of resiliency based on personality type, Taylor says.

“The lower your score on the neuroticism scale, the more likely an individual is able to respond well to stress, handle stress, handle emotional situations, and that significantly impacts wellbeing and mental health,” she explains. “When we look at food animal vets versus other types of veterinarians, food animal vets score lower on the neuroticism scale compared to any other veterinary practice type in the general population.”

That could be why in 2023, food animal veterinarians seem to be more satisfied and seem to take more pride in their work. Their personality type indicates they are individuals who tend to handle stress and emotions a little bit better, Taylor adds.

Merck Animal Health’s study also emphasizes the importance of having a healthy stress-coping mechanism, as those who reported having one experienced lower burnout and improved wellbeing, Taylor says.

Food animal veterinarians were more likely to have healthy methods for dealing with stress compared to the overall veterinary population.

“When things are tough and we’re stressed or not satisfied, I think we need to remember that we food animal veterinarians do good work. As a profession, we’re proud of that,” Taylor says. “So even on the hard days, our jobs can still be very good.”

For Taylor, being a part of a company and profession that finds value in understanding the mental health and wellbeing of its employees is very important.

“A lot of times people might sit back and say, ‘Why are they doing all this?’ But I think you can see over time the why,” Taylor says. “We’re learning to understand our profession more. For example, the suicide rate is high, but it’s not as bad as we thought it was. The condition of our veterinary community is not as bad as we tend to perceive or tend to think it is. Do we have some areas we need to continue working on and continue growing? Yes, we do. We always will.”

And that’s why she believes these studies are valuable to help tease out areas where the industry can continue to improve and make progress.

“I hope this helps people see that we are a strong, resilient group of people who are proud of what we do. We are proud of being associated with producing food and making a difference in our communities,” Taylor says.

Editor’s Note: Merck Animal Health acknowledges the study’s findings are based on a sample of individuals, and the averages may not apply universally. For more details and a comprehensive list of recommendations for individuals and employers to enhance veterinary wellbeing, visit www.vetwellbeing.com.

Double Trouble from Flooding and H5N1 hits Some Iowa Farms

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 13:17:15 GMT

Active flooding is still underway in parts of Iowa due to the more than 15 inches of rain that fell on parts of the state, particularly the northwest region, over the weekend, according to Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig.

“There were folks literally being rescued off of rooftops and flown out of the flooded areas,” Naig told AgriTalk Host Chip Flory on Tuesday. “After a couple of days, we will be able to come in and start to get a sense of what the enormity of what’s happened is and the size of the impact on the ag landscape.”

The devastation led to a disaster proclamation from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds and the evacuation of thousands of Iowa residents from the area.

Naig said when he talked with Reynolds early Tuesday morning, she described the damage from the rains and flooding as “extensive.” The flooding is still underway, with rivers in north-central Iowa now starting to crest, according to the National Water Prediction Service.

Naig said state officials won’t have a full sense of the crop damage or number of livestock lost in the region until the flood waters recede.

“This was already a wet part of the state, where there were some challenges around planting and replanting. They’ve just been inundated with rain throughout the spring,” Naig said.

“What we’re hearing about, certainly, is damaged and destroyed equipment. There are livestock facilities that folks are having trouble getting feed to because of washed-out roads, and there are power outages and water outages. These are just some of the things that are really challenging.”

Added Stress On Dairies
For dairy producers in northwest Iowa, the floods arrived on top of challenges they already faced from dealing with cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1) or efforts to prevent the occurrence of the disease.

“Unfortunately, a lot of our cases are in dairies up in that area,” Naig said. “Think of the added stress that those folks are experiencing right now.”

Naig said, in total, Iowa has confirmed 11 dairies and three poultry sites where H5N1 has been found.

“Don’t be surprised if you continue to hear about some additional cases in the state of Iowa, because here’s the point – we’re looking for it,” Naig said. “Our farmers are testing. Turns out, when you look for it, you can find it. I think this is a little wider spread than maybe what is just being confirmed.”

Naig said he commends the Iowa dairy industry for being proactive in reporting any positive cases. When cases are confirmed, he said the state can bring in a USDA epidemiological strike team to look for clues to how H5N1 is being transmitted.

“If we’re going to experience the pain of having positive cases, let’s learn as much as we can, so that we can craft biosecurity strategies to address those things that are found to be the cause of transmission,” he said.

Wide Range Of Symptoms And Outcomes
Naig added that the scope of H5N1 infections has varied between farms as well as in individual animals.

“I think maybe early on, folks said, ‘Oh, it’s really just a kind of a minimal milk production loss, and then everything gets back to normal.’ I don’t think it’s quite that way,” he said. “Some (producers) aren’t seeing clinical signs while others see acute infections and significant milk losses. We are also hearing about some cattle mortality, though it’s maybe because of a secondary infection or condition that actually causes that mortality.”

Naig told Flory he has asked USDA to provide compensation for animals that Iowa producers have had to cull or where death occurred.

“We continue to make that request because we are seeing some losses, but that’s still a work in progress,” he said. “And, of course, again, we’re trying to get research on the ground to determine how H5N1 is behaving. The other thing is we can’t treat this as a dairy disease. It is a dairy and a poultry issue. We’ve got to think about the larger livestock industry. That’s how we’re approaching it here.”

The conversation between Naig and Flory is available in its entirety below:

A Tale Of Two Crops: Farmers Struggle Against Flooding And Drought

Goodbye, El Niño. Hello, La Niña? The Big Transition to La Niña is Already Underway

Veterinarians Seek Work-Life Balance

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 00:26:21 GMT

Those who raise livestock often are under a great deal of pressure and stress. But so, too, are the veterinarians who also care for those animals.

A recent study published in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association examined the mental and emotional well-being of more than 4,600 U.S. veterinarians.

Sponsored by Merck Animal Health, the study assessed the levels of burn-out, well-being, and mental health of veterinarians using scientific methods. It also compared those figures to those of non-veterinarians in the general population.

Among the findings were:

Burnout and well-being of veterinarians were generally consistent with that of employed U.S. adults in general. However, younger veterinarians (<35 years of age) reported significantly higher levels of burnout than older practitioners (55-64 years of age).
Just 8% of food animal veterinarians reported high or very high levels of burnout, compared to 20% of companion animal veterinarians.
When assessing types of burnout, veterinarians rated exhaustion significantly higher than cognitive or emotional impairment and mental distance.
Veterinarians scored higher than non-veterinarians on the core personality trait of neuroticism, which is associated with anxiety, negative emotions, irritability, depression, and self-doubt.
Practitioners with higher levels of student debt had lower overall well-being scores.
Those veterinarians who worked with a financial advisor, regardless of age or debt level, were less likely to suffer from serious psychological distress compared to those who did not have a relationship with a financial advisor.
The percentage of veterinarians seeking treatment for mental health issues increased over the past 5 years from 15% to 25%.
Consistent with the last 3 renditions of this study, work-life balance was found to be the leading predictor of low burnout, higher well-being, and good mental health.
The top factors that were identified in achieving work-life balance were spending time with family, socializing with friends, exercising regularly, and routinely sleeping 8 hours per night.

“Dealing with sick and injured animals, emotionally fraught clients, and personal and professional financial pressure can be intense,” the study’s authors noted. “Making and taking time for wholesome and pleasurable experiences is as critical to success in veterinary medicine as mastering the latest diagnostic procedures.”

What Swine Veterinarians Need Most Right Now

Mon, 20 May 2024 21:20:38 GMT

Veterinarian Jana Morgan was presented with a unique opportunity 15 years ago to be part of a first-time gathering of young veterinarians in the swine industry. DVM Swine Academy, organized by Boehringer Ingelheim, had one simple goal: to create a peer group for new veterinarians to be able to learn from key opinion leaders in the industry, to discuss issues they were encountering in their careers, and to create a safe environment for them to open up and build their knowledge together.

“I consider many of those people in my DVM Swine Academy group good friends still today,” Morgan says. “No one is scared to call anyone or to send an email to the group. No one ever makes you feel like you’ve asked a dumb question. That’s one of the goals behind it – to form a peer group of veterinarians that get to know each other on a personal and professional level.”

Through the years, Morgan has stepped up to manage DVM Swine Academy in addition to her role as a key account veterinarian at Boehringer Ingelheim. From setting up modules to organizing speakers to working with the young veterinarians, Morgan says she really loves getting to lead DVM Swine Academy.

“Boehringer Ingelheim sees value in helping young veterinarians ask questions and learn. We hope it’s a way we can help them create their own value and bring something back to the producer, too,” she says.

Intentional Interaction

Although the swine industry is small enough that you will likely meet or see people again and again at professional meetings, Morgan believes it’s a different result when you are put into a small group together and encouraged to interact at a deeper level.

“When you know you can talk about things in a room where everyone is open for discussions, and you know you won’t be judged by bringing up whatever issue you might be seeing or dealing with, it builds confidence,” Morgan says.

DVM Swine Academy kicked off its 8th class in April. A new class forms every two years and is limited to 20 or less people by invitation or recommendation. The goal is to bring in veterinarians with less than five years of experience to form a group that works through six modules during the course of two years. The modules cover a variety of important and relevant topics from immunology and porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) to conflict resolution and ventilation. Each group’s topics vary slightly as opportunities are created for participants to help select the topics of importance for the modules.

“We meet in a relaxed location without a lot of bells and whistles,” Morgan says. “We have dinner on the first evening together. We talk and get to know people on a different level. I believe the personal component helps break down walls and establish that it is a safe place to share.”

Cutting-Edge Conversations

Boehringer Ingelheim chooses top-notch experts to present, she adds. They want it to be a worthwhile learning experience for everyone involved. Daniel Linhares, professor and director of graduate education at Iowa State University, is one of the featured speakers who has presented many times over the years on PRRS management.

“That includes monitoring, response to PRRS, control and elimination strategies,” Linhares says. “PRRS virus is the single most important pathogen that impacts pigs and their ability to reach their full genetic potential. It’s a big threat in terms of domestic disease in our country.”

He values the opportunity to hear from the younger veterinarians and discover what’s working and what’s not for them in terms of PRRS management methods.

“Each participant brings their own perspectives,” Linhares says. “We always learn because we gain insight into their minds. It’s valuable to us to know what areas need further research or exploration. We discover needs and gaps.”

Cross-System Collaboration

Veterinarians often talk internally with their companies. Linhares says the ability to create cross-system peer groups offers the larger swine industry many benefits.

“Sometimes you see a problem in Clinic A and can learn from someone in Clinic B who has already dealt with it,” he points out. “It’s a nice benchmarking opportunity to learn from each other.”

That’s one of the benefits Erin Kettelkamp, a veterinarian with Swine Vet Center in Saint Peter, Minn., appreciates most about her DVM Swine Academy peer group.

“It’s a great way to create new circles – and it’s not always with people fresh out of school – it’s a range,” Kettelkamp says. “It’s nice to stratify those ages a little to create good mingling among the groups. I believe being able to collaborate and bring that back to wherever you work has a ton of value.”

She also values the customization of modules.

“Dr. Morgan has been great at listing out popular topics for us to choose from. We start with one of the most popular modules. From there, we have time to get the wheels turning and have great discussions over future topics at dinners, etc. The curriculum continues to get stronger and always stays relevant because it’s not planned in advance,” Kettelkamp says. “Things can change depending on speaker availability and the program has the ability to pull in experts, which contributes to the quality of the content we experience.”

A Dose of Fresh Perspective

Perhaps one of the greatest benefits of DVM Swine Academy is the emotional support it can provide to people in one of the most demanding careers from a mental health standpoint.

“As veterinarians, we care,” Morgan says. “We want to do the right thing. We are pulled in multiple directions and put a lot of time and focus into a lot of different things.”

In the end, that results in great pressure on an individual. Morgan says if you don’t have a group or someone you can call that is going through similar things, it makes it hard and keeps you on an island.

“I think having that group to call, to know you’ve already made a connection with someone who may be dealing with a similar issue and will listen is so helpful,” Morgan says.

Kettelkamp enjoyed the opportunity to simply get away from work for a day or two to gain a new perspective, she says.

“When we sit together and share, that eases some of the mental load for the young vet realizing they have more people to compare notes with and relate to at the time,” Kettelkamp says. “There is some venting that goes along with this life stage and pace, so it’s nice to have someone else to relate to outside of your immediate colleagues at work.”

It’s a privilege to be a part of DVM Swine Academy, she adds.

“I appreciate the opportunity to have this continuing education experience which is very valuable in order to generate some key takeaways we can then work on in the field,” Kettelkamp says.

Hear from more Kettelkamp and other alumni of the program here .

Read More:

It’s Time to Talk About Depopulation in the U.S. Swine Industry

Sad Doesn’t Mean Wrong: The Impact of Animal Depopulation

Startling Reality: Rate of Suicide Among Farmers is 3.5 Times Higher Than the General Population

Fri, 29 Sep 2023 15:19:04 GMT

Did you know that the rate of suicide among farmers is 3.5 times higher than the general population? It’s a startling statistic and a sign of the daily stress that comes with farming.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), between 2000 and 2002 suicide rates climbed 46% in rural areas. By comparison, the rate in metro areas climbed 27.3%.

Stephanie Weatherly, chief clinical officer for Psychiatric Medical Care , says not only is the rate of suicide higher in rural communities, but it’s especially high for elderly citizens.

“Forty-five percent of farmers’ and ranchers’ suicides in the last 15 years were committed by people aged 65 and older, so it just really hits home the risk that we have for the elders in our communities. Not only do they have the higher risk because of their profession, they also have a higher risk with their age,” says Weatherly. “So those compounded together can be a really high risk for people in your communities.”

Related Story: By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

Psychiatric Medical Care is a company that provides mental health services specifically to rural communities, serving 130 rural hospitals today. Weatherly says while services are improving, the stigma surrounding mental health still exists today.

“I think some of the biggest misconceptions are that people think when other people stop working or if someone is thinking of harming themselves, those are the only signs to watch for. And we know that’s not true. A lot of times the community around this person is surprised when the person’s life has ended. So, we have to be looking at subtle clues,” she adds.

Know the Signs

What are some of those subtle clues? According to Psychiatric Medical Care , professors at Colorado State University and the University of Wisconsin created a checklist and guide to help identify stress and depression in farm and ranch families.

The signs of stress and depression include:

Change in Routines
- The rancher or ranch family stops attending church, drops out of 4-H, home makers or other groups, or no longer stops in at the local coffee shop or feed mill.
Care of Livestock Declines
- Cattle may not be cared for in the usual way; they may lose condition, appear gaunt or show signs of neglect or physical abuse.
Increase in Illness
- Farmers or farm family members may experience more upper respiratory illnesses (colds, flu) or other chronic conditions (aches, pains, persistent cough).
Increase in Farm or Ranch Accidents
- The risk of farm accidents increases due to fatigue or loss of ability to concentrate.
Appearance of Farmstead Declines
- The farm family no longer takes pride in the way farm buildings and grounds appear, or they no longer have time to do the maintenance work.

See Something, Say Something

Weatherly says if you notice any of these, say something, because having those conversations can help.

“We know that 80% of people who suffer from depression can go into total remission. So, in other words, if you’re struggling with depression, you can get better. You just need to get the help that you need,” says Weatherly.

Help is also available with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline . If you suspect someone is at risk of suicide, you can call or text 988.

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Mental Health on the Farm: One Swine Production Manager’s Story

5 Ways to Work Through Difficult Times

By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

Pay Attention to Warning Signs of Stress

Lack of Understanding Leads to Loneliness in Farmers

Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?

Stress: Action is Key

Farmers, Ranchers Have Ways to Manage Stress

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5 Ways to Work Through Difficult Times

Tue, 09 May 2023 23:31:29 GMT

Many of us experience stress throughout our lifetimes. With the current economic situation, both in agriculture and even personally, it is easy for many individuals to feel stress and overwhelmed. The burden can become so great that it begins to overpower you and then the feeling of hopelessness can creep in. It is important to find ways to manage stress before it gets to that point in your life. Here are some suggestions on how to manage stress and work through a difficult time.

1. Be compassionate to yourself.

Everyone has struggles. No matter what they are, they are valid. Sometimes we find it easy to be compassionate, patient and forgiving towards others, but less so for ourselves. Allow yourself to be all those things to yourself.

2. Practice mindfulness.

Sometimes the stress of what we are dealing with can become overwhelming. Anxiety becomes a heavy burden and almost paralyzing. It is in these times that you need to practice mindfulness. Pause, take a deep breath, and use your senses to connect with your current environment. Spend five to 10 minutes to listen to your surroundings and focus on certain colors or shapes.

3. Write.

When the thoughts and worry are strong, stop and take time to allow yourself to write down all of those thoughts and worries. Once you have done so, set it aside for awhile and do not allow yourself to dwell on those thoughts. Come back to the paper after a period of time when you have had a chance to rest and refocus and then work through your thoughts.

4. Develop your social support.

Many times when you feel stress or are overwhelmed, it is easy to isolate yourself from others. It is in these moments that you need to find a group of individuals that can lift you up. Not only can they help you release some stress though activities and laughter, but they can also remind you that many individuals face the similar struggles.

5. Take care of yourself.

Those that work in agriculture live a life of service. Their work is focused on taking care of their family as well as providing food for many others. It is easy during these times to want to focus on doing as much as you can to work through the difficulties. However, if you don’t take time to do things that are separate from the work, you are more likely to experience mental fatigue. Enjoy a hobby, go fishing, listen to music, or do whatever you find helps you relax that is separate from your work. In addition, make sure you get plenty of sleep. A tired mind will actually have more difficulties in functioning and doing tasks as well as handling stress.

Following these five steps can potentially help you through difficult times and help build resilience. Difficulties in life are temporary and many struggles will pass in time. Throughout these times, take care of yourself and maintain a healthy balance in life.

Click here to download the eBook “Your Guide to Mental Health. ”

Read More about Mental Health & Wellness:

By Her Own Hand: A Farm Girl’s Miraculous Journey from Death to Hope

Pay Attention to Warning Signs of Stress

Lack of Understanding Leads to Loneliness in Farmers

Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?

Stress: Action is Key

Farmers, Ranchers Have Ways to Manage Stress

Suicide Prevention: Your Worth Isn’t Measured By The Markets

Don’t Let Social Distancing Lead to Social Isolation

Connect With Farmers In-Person On Mental Health

Simple, Daily Habits to Help Manage Stress

Pay Attention to Warning Signs of Stress

When Your Trampoline Breaks: Avoid Isolation

7 Steps to Reduce Farm and Financial Stress

How and Why to Laugh, Even When it’s Hard

Watch for Signs of Suicidal Risk on Your Farm

“Not One More Vet” Supports Veterinary Mental Health

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 20:42:00 GMT

It’s the mantra of so many veterinary teams. The words that flash through your mind after you are unable to save an animal. And whether the problem was medical, financial, or something else… the message is the same: I’ve failed. And when you carry this weight, the other stressors of working in a veterinary practice can feel unbearable. The bright, impassioned idealism to be the protector and savior of animals turns to ash, and depression begins to take over your life.

These words from the non-profit organization, “ Not One More Vet (NOMV) ” encapsulate the troubling reality that many veterinarians face. Long work hours; a workforce shortage; the burden of student debt; and difficult-to-please clients all contribute to their mental load.

“Research shows that veterinarians and their staff have a far higher suicide rate than that of the general public,” said Darlene Bos, NOMV executive director. “We seek to transform the status of mental wellness in the profession.”

NOMV does so through:

Grants to assist veterinarians struggling financially
Peer support in the veterinary community, with a current online network of more than 35,000 veterinary professionals
Education about wellness; and
Research to further the advancement of wellness, mental health, and the reduction of suicide among veterinary professionals

These efforts are made possible through private contributions, along with an annual fundraising event, Race Around the World . The 5K race is a fun and healthy way to raise awareness and funds for NOMV. The race takes place every September (Suicide Prevention Month).

NOMV also has furthered its mission through corporate collaboration. CLEAR Blueprint , a free practice certification sponsored by Merck Animal Health , was developed by an interdisciplinary team of veterinary professionals, mental health professionals, and lawyers. The program is intended to empower teams to implement the changes that will develop and maintain healthy cultures that prioritize staff wellbeing for practice owners, veterinarians, support staff, and everyone involved in veterinary medicine.

Last year, Zoetis launched an online campaign to honor dairy veterinarians. The program was developed “to help reverse an alarming rise in veterinarian suicides among those who work difficult, tiring hours while protecting and caring for cattle.”

Zoetis solicited nominations to celebrate dairy veterinarians, donating $5.00 for each person honored. The campaign resulted in a $10,000 donation to NOMV. “One more veterinarian lost to suicide is too many,” said Jared Shriver, senior vice president, U.S. Cattle at Zoetis. “We hope others will follow the lead of the dairy families that spoke up to support the crucial contributions of their community’s veterinarian.”

You can find NOMV on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn and Instagram .

When Stress Goes Beyond Normal

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 13:38:26 GMT

It started with a broken baler. The farmer panicked. He had recently lost his brother to cancer and his father to old age. The broken baler was a hard reminder of all the mechanical work his father always did. Not to mention he had 2,500 acres to farm, 250 beef cows to attend to and his crop had just froze.

Brent Brewer of the Oklahoma Farmers Union was visiting with this farmer, who understandably had a lot on his mind.

“It was getting on him,” Brewer said during the Online Top Producer Summit . He compared helping people who are experiencing stress overload to giving CPR.

“You don’t quit until you get somebody in a safe place,” Brewer said.

To do that, it’s important to understand the mental health challenges farmers and ranchers face, said Shannon Ferrell, Oklahoma State University ag law specialist, during the webinar.

Stress is normal, and normally stress isn’t a big deal as long as people have a means of effectively dealing with it, Ferrell pointed out. The challenge comes when:
• People don’t have an effective way to deal with stress.
• People are faced with an overwhelming amount of stress at once.
• People encounter stress that never abates but continues over time.

“We have to understand how stress overload works and one way for us to relieve stress is to talk about our feelings with someone,” he said.

Dr. Matt Brosi, a marriage and family state specialist at Oklahoma State University, described four of the major mental health issues experienced on the farm today: depression, anxiety, substance abuse disorders and suicide.

1. Depression
Depression is a mood disorder characterized by persistent depressed mood or loss of interest in activities, causing significant impairment in daily life, Brosi explained.

“What we’re talking about is the overwhelming feeling of sadness or disconnection that characterizes depressive symptomatology, which has a range of behavioral or physical symptoms including loss of interest in typical activities, changes in sleep, loss of appetite, energy level concentration, daily behavior, self-esteem,” he said.

There is often a misunderstanding that being depressed is a choice. Depression has a biological basis, often stemming from a combination of biological, psychological and social sources of distress. It entails the stress overload process that starts to interfere with brain development and reasoning, Brosi said, and that’s stemming from a neuron stifling in the brain.

“Nearly 70% of U.S. individuals can correctly identify depression, but many of us don’t know what to do about it,” Brosi said.

Depression thrives on isolation. Often when people experience a stressful overload process, they inadvertently turn inward and internalize those sources of stress, eventually developing negative beliefs either about themselves or their environment.

During COVID, social distancing limited the mobilization of many of those natural resources that individuals would have had that may have served as a source of resilience for them to be able to overcome some of the depressive symptomology they faced, Brosi said.

“Genuinely connecting with others is key. To deal with some of the social isolation, we want to make sure individuals are around those trusted social support systems. We want to make sure they’re getting this the professional help if and when possible as well getting out of those negative routines,” Brosi advised. “Get moving, get outside. Vitamin D is incredibly important. Getting out of those negative routines can be a positive way of dealing with depression.”

2. Anxiety
Anxiety is a normal reaction to stress. It can be beneficial in some situations as it motivates us to mobilize inward resources and to become more productive, Brosi said. But, it can also be out of proportion to the situation and whenever it becomes excessive, it becomes more difficult to control and things tend to compound on top of one another. He said that stress overload process leads to more and more anxiety that may inadvertently end up affecting day-to-day living.

“With anxiety, we strive for control and we strive for engaging in activities to lower our anxiety or even depressive symptomology we end up coping in maladaptive ways,” Brosi said.

People typically focus on the coping skills for negative behaviors they see. For example, if we see an individual acting angrily or aggressively, it’s easy to understand. But Brosi said what we oftentimes miss is what’s going on beneath the surface.

“With anger, we know fear precedes anger. Anger is a secondary emotion. Fear is a primary emotion. It may be the thing that’s below the surface that helps us to understand the context of why individuals are engaging in a maladaptive coping mechanism or acting in an angry way,” Brosi said.

When it comes to anxiety, look for opportunities to talk about some of those deeper-rooted feelings or fears, or even motivations that are causing people to act out in certain ways and engage in those behaviors.

3. Substance Use Disorders
A substance use disorder occurs when the use of one or more substances leads to clinically significant impairment or distress. It’s a growing problem in American now and Brosi said he’s seeing more addiction independence or essentially, tolerance. It’s the need for more substances to achieve the same effect or withdrawal symptoms in which an individual experiences negative symptoms when they cease using a substance.

The substances vary from year to year, but lately he’s seen an uptick in prescription drug misuse.

“The interesting thing is among those in the U.S. who experience a substance use disorder, about half of those had a co-occurring mental illness and so what this is telling us very directly is that substance use and mental health conditions are inextricably intertwined,” Brosi explained. “What’s happening is individuals are using substances at a greater extent to cope with some of the depressive symptomology or anxiety disorders.”

Opioids are a growing concern, he said. A lot of times the use of opioids is “a slippery slope” in which an individual may experience an injury, an illness, or something that causes them to get a prescription medication to cope with a physical pain. Brosi said what happens over time is some of the despair associated with that physical pain turns into an emotional despair as well.

“That emotional toll of pain and the job loss or role may cause an individual to continue using that substance for emotional well-being instead of just physical,” he said.

What’s even worse is when this is compounded by isolation and a lack of resources to cope in an effective way.

4. Suicide
It’s an issue that’s very difficult to confront but is a growing epidemic in rural America. Suicide rates are higher in rural communities than they are in our urban areas. Since 2007, the data shows that gap is widening and at an accelerating rate. Agriculture is currently the fourth leading industry in terms of suicides.

“The thing I want you to understand is you don’t have to just sit there and take that or accept that statistic,” Ferrell said. “There are things we can do about it. When you feel someone may be contemplating suicide, it’s OK to ask them if they have thought about suicide or self-harm.”

Don’t be afraid to ask that question for fear of putting the idea in someone’s head. Ferrell said scientific, peer-reviewed research confirms that’s simply not the case.

“As a matter of fact, it’s the complete opposite. If you show someone that you care enough about them to observe those signs and you care enough to embrace the awkwardness and ask that question, that can have a positive intervening effect in that person’s thought process and might get them out of consideration of suicide or self-harm,” Ferrell said.

Read more about the webinar here.

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Toxic Grit: Is Our Greatest Strength Our Greatest Weakness on the Farm?

Take Care of Yourself Even in the Midst of Crisis

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Connect With Farmers In-Person On Mental Health

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‘Make It OK To Discuss Mental Health’

Mon, 01 Mar 2021 21:40:58 GMT

It’s not typical to hear a company chief executive officer talk about the need to discuss mental health concerns at work. But then, Tanner Krause is not your typical CEO.

He is the fourth generation to take over the leadership role for the $2.3 billion Kum & Go convenience stores, founded in Hampton, Iowa, in 1959 by Krause’s grandfather and great-grandfather.

“We grew from small town to small town across Iowa and then into other states. Sixty-one years later, my dad passed the reins to me, and we’re still entirely family owned,” Krause told Agri-Talk Host Chip Flory on Thursday.

Krause says the arrival of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 created a variety of personal and professional struggles.

“It was beneficial for me to start talking about it and not keep it all internal,” he says. “When I started doing that, it was really well-received. So, we decided to be more open as an organization, and it’s done some really nice things for our company and our culture.”

Krause says many of the company’s efforts during the pandemic have been focused on providing a variety of support to store associates who are on the front lines, interacting daily with customers.

“We offered paid time off to people needing to quarantine; we paid for Covid tests before they were free as they are now,” he says. “We provided extra thank-you pay for three months to all of our people in our stores.”

The most important thing he says Kum & Go leadership decided to do was to normalize conversations around the topic of mental health.

“We just decided to make it OK for people to be real with one another when they come to work and not feel like they have to put on their armor when they walk in the door,” Krause told Flory. “What we’re really trying to offer is a safe space for those that choose it. If somebody wants to open up, then we want to set the expectation that that’s welcome.”

It’s an attitude he encourages other CEOs - including farm owners - to adopt with employees.

“My best advice would be to just be a little more real with your people,” Krause says. “If someone asks how you are, just be honest responding to that question. Maybe you say, ‘I’m a little tired’ or that you’re worried about someone who’s had a health event. Just don’t fake it. I really want to encourage the heads and leaders of farms with this – it starts with you.”

Krause’s complete discussion on Agri-Talk is available here:

As Farmers Face Growing Stress, How to Navigate Mental Health Concerns

Farmers, Mental Health First Aid Matters

Mental Health Issues on the Rise with Younger Farmers

Mental Health and Managing Stress on the Farm

Mental Health: Empower Employees

Finding Peace: Managing Mental Health During the Holiday Season

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness. For many, however, it is also a period marked by increased stress and mental health challenges. The reality is that the rites and rituals of the season sometimes come with pressures that can be difficult to manage.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), one in five adults’ experiences mental health struggles. This statistic is a stark reminder that these challenges are pervasive, impacting individuals of all backgrounds and life circumstances. What’s more revealing is that three out of four people report a worsening of their mental health during the holiday season.

Common Stressors and Their Impact
There are several factors that contribute to this heightened stress. Financial pressures are a significant concern, as individuals grapple with the expectation of gift-giving, hosting, and traveling. Coupled with these financial worries is the potential conflict with family members, which can strain relationships rather than bring people closer.

The loss of loved ones also becomes more pronounced during the holidays, as memories of past celebrations may bring feelings of longing rather than comfort. Moreover, the busy schedules that come with holiday preparations can leave little room for self-care or relaxation, further exacerbating feelings of stress and anxiety.

Strategies for Managing Holiday Stress
The Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences offers these options if you notice your mental health worsening during the holidays.

Practice self-care. What activities help you feel refreshed or relaxed? Taking a walk around your property, watching a favorite movie, or driving through a Christmas light display in your community are all simple activities that can bring happiness.

Avoid negative coping strategies. It is common for people to enjoy alcoholic beverages, but excessive drinking to change your mood can harm your physical and mental health.

Set healthy boundaries. It is okay to say “no” or “not right now.” If your schedule is too busy, consider limiting the number of invitations you accept. If family gatherings are a little contentious, plan to stay for only an hour or two.

Follow your routine. Enjoy holiday treats and remember your veggies and protein. Settle in for a fun movie night and aim for 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Proper rest and nutrition help your mental health tremendously!

Acknowledge your feelings. Talk to a trusted friend or family member and tell them how you feel. Sometimes, just saying words out loud can help remove a burden from our minds. Your loved ones may also be able to provide additional support.

Help is Available:

• 988 – call or text this number 24/7 to be connected to the Suicide and Crisis Prevention Lifeline. A trained counselor will listen to you, support you, and share resources in your area.

• 741741 – text the Crisis Lifeline 24/7 to connect with a trained counselor.

• 911 – if you or a loved one are experiencing suicidal thoughts or a medical emergency, call emergency services immediately.

Understanding the factors that contribute to the decline in mental health during the holidays is the first step toward managing them effectively. By recognizing and addressing the triggers, you can regain a sense of peace and joy during what is meant to be a festive time. Remember, taking care of your mental health should always be a priority, holiday season or not.

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