The Delaware Farm Bureau, in partnership with the Delaware Department of Agriculture, has launched a mental health awareness initiative aimed at supporting the well-being of the agricultural community. As part of the campaign, stickers featuring the national suicide and crisis hotline number, 988, have been produced for placement in tractor cabs, farm offices, and other highly visible areas. The goal is to remind farmers and rural residents that “it’s okay to not be okay,” and that help is always available. The stickers are free and available to anyone who would like to distribute or display them.
Supporting Farmers’ Mental Health
Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Don Clifton emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Delaware’s farm families work tirelessly to feed our communities and care for our land. Yet many carry burdens beyond reaping the harvest. Fluctuating markets, unpredictable weather and rising costs take a profound toll on their mental well-being.” He continued, “Amid all the uncertainties related to farming, I hope we have reached a point as a community where we make this a certainty, we are determined to meet our shared responsibility to ensure that those who feed us have mental health resources and support available to them.”
The stressors associated with farming, including long hours, isolation, and high operational costs, can take a serious toll on mental health. In response to these challenges, the American Farm Bureau Federation created the Farm State of Mind campaign, a nationwide effort to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and provide vital mental health resources to farmers and ranchers. The campaign includes helpful tips and tools for those who are struggling, as well as guidance for those supporting someone in need.
Personal Impact and Expansion
Steve Breeding, DEFB first vice president and Sussex County Farm Bureau president, is serving on the AFBF Promotion and Engagement Committee to help promote mental health awareness nationwide. Speaking from personal experience, Breeding said: “After going through a time when my own mental health was at its lowest, I know how hard it can be to admit you need help, and even harder to actually ask for it. Seeing the Farm State of Mind 988 flyer and making that call was the best decision of my life.” A similar program launched by Sumter County Farm Bureau in Florida inspired Delaware Farm Bureau to partner with the state to make the stickers available.
This article is an AI-assisted summary. All facts and figures are drawn from the original report: https://www.fb.org/farm-bureau-news/delaware-farm-bureau-and-delaware-department-of-agriculture-prioritize-mental-health-awareness