WEST DES MOINES, IOWA (May 3, 2024) — Affordability and accessibility are the top barriers for farmers seeking mental health services, per an American Farm Bureau Federation survey. During May Mental Health Awareness Month, the Iowa Farm Bureau wants to remind farmers support is readily available — and at no cost — through Personal Assistance Services (PAS).
This service provides farm families with personalized, ongoing counseling. It is facilitated by rural mental health clinicians, many of whom have a farming background or understand the unique challenges farming communities face. They offer tailored support for stress, anxiety, sleep issues, substance abuse and more.
“We put so much energy into our farms that sometimes we can neglect our own well-being,” says Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson. “While farming is a calling and a significant part of our life, you — as a friend, spouse, parent, neighbor, community member, and volunteer — are irreplaceable, and your health deserves to be prioritized. We feel strongly about mental health for farm families, which is why we provided financial assistance to a farm-focused mental health program in 2020 that has now expanded nationwide.”
Additionally, Iowa Farm Bureau has compiled a comprehensive list of mental-health services, Iowa-based resources, and suicide-prevention hotlines that assist all Iowans in their pursuit of wellness. For more information, visit iowafarmbureau.com/farmstress.
About Iowa Farm Bureau
The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is the largest statewide, grassroots farm organization in Iowa, celebrating more than 100 years of creating a vibrant future for agriculture, farm families, and their communities. For more information, visit iowafarmbureau.com.
