As harvest season quickly approaches, farmers are preparing equipment, watching the weather and getting ready for one of the busiest times of the year. But agricultural experts say there’s another preparation farmers shouldn’t overlook…taking care of their mental health.
Long hours, unpredictable weather, financial pressure and the physical demands of harvest can all add stress. And when the days get busy, it can be easy for farmers to put their own well-being at the bottom of the list.
According to Purdue Farm Stress team member, Abby Paul, “Harvest can create a lot of mental and emotional stress for farmers and families just because it’s the culmination of all of the hard work that they put in throughout the year. You’ve planted, you’ve fertilized, you’ve sprayed, you’ve done all the things that you can to make sure that your crop is really great. And this is the time of the year that it either pays off or it doesn’t. So you get out there, and it can be really stressful to see how everything’s coming out of the field.”
She encourages producers to recognize the warning signs of excessive stress.
She says, “There’s so many things, overwhelming amount of things that are out of control for farmers. But focusing on what you can control…Is your equipment ready for the harvest season? Have you done all the maintenance that you need to do? Do you have spare parts so that when something does break in the field, you may have an extra belt? You have an extra bearing with you. A lot of these things to make sure you’re prepared can make the unexpected feel a lot less stressful, because you’ve already prepared for it.”
Farmers are used to taking care of their crops, livestock and equipment. But during harvest, taking care of themselves is just as important. A simple conversation can make a difference.
Paul concludes, “In Indiana, farmers can always call 988. You can call text 988. You don’t have to be the person in crisis to call or text 988, and they will help you through what you’re going through. The Purdue Extension Farm Stress Team website has a lot of resources. There’s also your local extension office. Talk to someone. Talk to a family member. Talk to a friend. Talk to a clergy. Talk to someone.”
So as you prepare to roll into the fields this fall, remember: asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s part of taking care of the farm, the family and yourself.
