As agriculture heads toward another challenging season, rural health professionals say the mental strain on farmers continues to grow. Market uncertainty, weather concerns, and long hours can weigh heavily on producers. While conversations around mental health have become more open in recent years, many farm families still struggle to ask for help.
Psychiatric nurse practitioner Heidi Bradley with Integrated Telehealth Partners says agriculture presents a unique set of stressors that can quietly build over time.
Bradley says uncertainty is often one of the biggest anxiety drivers for producers, especially when many of the factors affecting their operations remain outside their control. While farmers are known for their resilience and independence, that same mindset can sometimes make it harder to recognize when additional support is needed.
She says many in agriculture carry a strong sense of responsibility, which can add to the pressure when challenges begin to stack up.
Bradley says those close to farmers should pay attention to changes in behavior, including withdrawal from conversations, irritability, or difficulty completing everyday tasks. While agriculture has come a long way since the stigma surrounding mental health conversations decades ago, she says pride and independence can still act as barriers to seeking help.
One of the biggest hurdles for rural residents has always been access. Long drives to appointments and the time away from the farm can make traditional office visits feel unrealistic during planting, harvest, or calving seasons. Bradley says new telehealth services are beginning to remove those obstacles.
She says telehealth allows farmers to connect with professionals from wherever they are, whether that is at home, in the tractor, or between chores, making it easier to prioritize mental health without sacrificing valuable time during the workday.
For family members or friends who may be worried about someone they care about, Bradley says starting the conversation with concern instead of criticism can make a difference.
Bradley encourages Iowa farm families to remember that depression and anxiety are medical conditions, not personal failures. Just as producers would seek treatment for a physical illness, she says mental health support is another tool that can help protect both the individual and the operation.
She adds that anyone experiencing thoughts of self-harm or an immediate crisis should seek emergency care or contact local emergency services right away. For others, starting with a trusted primary care provider can help open the door to telehealth and other rural mental health resources now available across Iowa.
