May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) is encouraging all farmers and ranchers to reach out to their neighbors.

AFBF’s theme for the campaign is “Small Gestures, Big Impact.”

“The biggest support system we have with mental health is our friends and neighbors, and what we’re doing this year is we’re trying to reach out and do it week by week,” said Lisa Wherry, Pennsylvania Farm Bureau and AFBF Women’s Leadership Committee member. “We’re encouraging all Farm Bureau members to do this. Like we’re trying to give an opportunity to send a text. The second week what we want to do is give them a card. And then on week three, what we want to do is take a ride. The next week we’re saying deliver a treat, and then the last week is like make a phone call.”

Wherry said farmers have a lot to deal with and talking though it can help.

“I think what we’re doing this year is really big because it gives us a big opportunity to say, ‘hey, we’re thinking about you. Is everything okay?’ Because a lot of times if we realize as farmers we’re dealing with weather, governmental issues that causes anxiety, regulations, and stuff like that causes a big impact on us and that they’re not alone,” she said. “We’re all here for them.”

She noted that farmers and ranchers face many similar issues.

“Farmers are proud. We’re strong people, and we don’t want anybody to think that we’re weak. We’ve got to provide food, fiber, fuel for the country, and now we’re letting others know, no, it’s okay if you don’t feel okay,” Wherry said. “Talk about it. If you talk about it, another farmer might be dealing with the same thing you’re dealing with, and you could talk through it. So, we have grown leaps and bounds over the years realizing it’s out there. We’ve got to deal with it. We’ve got to help each other, we can all work through this together.”

For more information on stress and mental health resources, visit AFBF’s Farm State of Mind webpage.