Stress and Crisis Resources in the Midwest

Farming can be a challenging occupation here in the Midwest. Producers, ranchers and their families face many difficulties that can lead to stress: financial problems, marketing uncertainties, production challenges, mental health issues, social pressures and natural disasters (select to see disaster resources). These difficulties and the pressures they create can lead to crisis for producers and farm families, especially when in combination or over a longer period of time. 

Crisis in the forms of intense stress, depression, and suicide is present in agricultural communities today. In response to this growing concern, the Midwest Climate Hub has consolidated the following resources to be used when needed, working to build producer resilience in the region.  

Immediate National Resources

• If your or someone else’s safety or health is at immediate risk, call 911

• Suicide Prevention Lifeline 800-273-8255 (Veterans, press 1) (Free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7)

• Crisis Text Line Text ‘HOME’ to 741 741 (Free and confidential support for people in distress, 24/7)

• National Helpline, 800-662-4357 (Treatment referral and information, 24/7)

• Disaster Distress Helpline, 800-985-5990 (Immediate crisis counseling related to disasters, 24/7)

The following resources are available by state:

• Minnesota
  • 24/7 Minnesota Farm & Rural Helpline 833-600-2670 (ext. 1)
  • Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH)
  • MN Dept of Agriculture Stress & Crisis: Get Help Now 
  • MN Dept of Agriculture Coping with Farm and Rural Stress
• Wisconsin
  • WI Department of Agriculture (Farm Center Helpline 800-942-2474 (Services are free and confidential)
  • Farm Stress & Decision-Making During Challenging Times, University of Wisconsin Division of Extension
  • Talking with Family & Managing Stress, University of Wisconsin Division of Extension
  • Prevent Suicide Wisconsin Crisis County Hotlines
• Iowa
  • Iowa Concern Stress  800-447-1985 (Confidential, free resource answered 24/7, language interpretation, live chat and ‘email an expert’ are available) 
  • Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach Finding Answers Now
  • ISU Extension Farm Stress Management
• Ohio
  • The Ohio State University (OSU) Rural and Farm Stress
  • OSU Stress Coping Methods factsheet
  • The Ohio Association of County Behavioral Health Authorities (OACBHA)
• Illinois
  • University of Illinois Families and Stress 
  • University of Illinois Getting Through Tough Financial Times
  • Illinois Dept of Public Health Suicide Prevention
• Indiana
  • Indiana Suicide Prevention Resource Locator
  • Mental Health America of Indiana
  • Families First Indiana
  • Purdue Extension Resources (Purdue Extension has many resources and on-going events/webinars available here) 
  • Control Stress Fact Sheet, Purdue Extension
  • Managing Farm-Related Stress for Safety's Sake, Purdue Extension
  • Strategies for Dealing with Agricultural Lenders, Purdue Extension
• Missouri
  • University of Missouri Extension Stress Management
  • Missouri Dept of Agriculture MORE Community Resources
  • Missouri Dept of Mental Health Information
• Michigan
  • Michigan State University (MSU) Managing Farm Stress
  • MSU Responding to Farmers in Need
  • Michigan Mental Health Resources 
  • Michigan 211 (2-1-1 connects you with thousands of nonprofit and government resources)
  • Michigan Suicide Hotlines
• Additional National Resources
  • Behavioral Health Treatment Services Locator (confidential and anonymous source (search engine) of treatment facilities in the U.S. and Territories)
  • American Foundation for Suicide Prevention 
  • National Institute of Mental Health 
  • Rural Health Information Hub
  • National Alliance on Mental Health 
  • National Farmers Union Farm Crisis Center