May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Chad Smith details how to help those struggling with mental health in rural areas.
Cabrera: Agriculture experiences a lot of unpredictability, including natural disasters, a lot of economic uncertainty, volatile markets, labor shortages, and trade disruptions. There are many factors that can cause extreme stress for farmers and ranchers. They also often live in very isolated environments, which can further complicate the problem. I think it's really important to break down the stigma around mental health issues.
Smith: Cabrera says anyone can be a mental health advocate in rural America.
Cabrera: I think the most effective way to advocate for the mental health of farmers and ranchers is to let everyone know that it's okay to not be okay. Just reducing that stigma and encouraging those who have a hard time asking for help and letting them know that it's a completely acceptable way to move forward. To make people believe that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
