It’s the hap, happiest time of the year.
Or not.
The holiday season is touted as a time of joy, with families gathering to exchange gifts and share fellowship. However, for many people, this is the season of depression and loneliness, even when surrounded by friends and family.
A survey by the American Psychological Association last year found that 89% of American adults feel stressed during the holiday season, with 41% saying stress is higher during the holidays than at other times of the year.
People in agriculture and rural communities already experience higher levels of mental health challenges than the average American because of dealing constantly with financial instability, uncertain weather, long hours, social isolation, and other factors. Butchers and workers in meat processing enterprises face additional challenges simply because of the nature of their work.
And it can all come crashing down during the holidays.
Fortunately, there are resources available to help rural people navigate through the darkness and fog of loneliness, depression, anxiety, and other mental health challenges.
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture operates the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network, which connects individuals engaged in farming, ranching, and other agriculture-related occupations to stress assistance programs. The FRSAN website notes that the network can offer a conduit for improving behavioral health awareness, literacy, and outcomes for agricultural producers, workers, and their families.
Two of Flower Hill Institute’s partner organizations operate hotlines staffed by individuals familiar with the daily challenges experienced by people in agriculture and rural America. The Farm Aid Hotline operates Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET and can be reached at 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243). The Farm Aid Spanish Hotline is answered Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET. The Farmer Veteran Coalition operates a hotline staffed by veterans who have weathered personal mental health challenges. That line can be reached at 1-855-382-3276.
Someone wrestling with thoughts of suicide can call or text 988 at any time of day or night to connect with mental health professionals at the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, formerly known as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Flower Hill Institute Regional Directors Chris Roper and Dave Carter were joined by two members of the Farmer Veteran Coalition, Marvin Frink of North Carolina and Lawrence Rhone of Montana, for a one-hour online roundtable on Wednesday, December 18 to discuss the challenges that they faced on their mental health journeys, and the resources available to persons feeling isolated, depressed or anxious this holiday season. To view a recording of the webinar, please visit flowerhill.institute/webinars.