Supporting mental health on the farm

From staff reports

“Growing up on a farm was a wonderful experience. I was surrounded by nature and family,” said Remington Rice, a Benzie County native who represents the fifth generation to grow up on the same family farm in rural Michigan.

“Of course, not everything was perfect. The men in the family didn’t really talk about stress or how they were doing. I never heard my grandpa say he was stressed or sad; you just kept working and didn’t talk about it. I think there was this belief that if you don’t acknowledge it, then it’ll go away on its own.”

Rice joined Michigan State University (MSU) Extension as a health and farm stress educator in August 2021. Prior to that he taught courses in psychology and conducted research on depression at Virginia Commonwealth University, where he received his PhD in Health Psychology. Rice learned of the importance of mental health early in his teenage years, when he struggled with depression. Now, working as an educator in an MSU Extension office in the same county where he was raised, Rice can serve the agricultural community that helped raise him.

“I thought I was alone and no one else could possibly understand because no one else had these thoughts. Fortunately for me, my mom recognized the signs, and we were able to have a conversation about what I was experiencing. I was relieved to learn that I wasn’t alone, and others experienced these same thoughts.”

These experiences, combined with his family background in agriculture, set Rice on a path toward dedicating his career to helping farmers and their families with mental health. As for those in the farming community who may be struggling, Rice shares this advice:

“Be honest with the people who are asking if you are okay. Trust the people who are asking, and be open to seeking help. Mental health is just as important as physical health. To be successful and safe on the farm, you must prioritize your health. It’s okay to seek professional help for your mental health, just like it is okay to seek professional help if you broke your arm or broke your tractor.”

If you or someone you know is struggling with managing stress or their mental health, Rice encourages people to reach out and ask for help.

“People can reach out to me directly or visit our website, www.Extension.MSU.edu/FarmStress to learn more about the resources available. We run evidence-based trainings across the state on how to recognize stress and how to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis. We have partnered with therapist and counselors at Pine Rest Mental Health Services to support farmers, farm families, and workers in the commercial fishery industry who are experiencing stress and mental health concerns.

“Our teletherapy is unique because our therapists all have a background in agriculture. They either grew up on a farm, married into a farm family, or are farmers themselves. Financial assistance is available on a first-come-first-served basis. We can help with farm business management too, we can conduct a farm financial analysis, offer business management strategies, and help with succession planning too. There is always help available.”

Contact Remi Rice at riceremi@msu.edu. To learn more about the MSU Extension’s Managing Farm Stress program, visit www.Extension.MSU.edu/FarmStress.