Resources for Coping with Farm & Rural Stress
Suicide and Crisis Lifeline
If you need suicide or mental health crisis support, or are worried about someone else, please call or text 988 or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline chat to connect with a trained crisis specialist.
Minnesota Farm and Rural Helpline
Phone: 833-600-2670
Text: FARMSTRESS to 898211
Email: farmstress@state.mn.us
This is a free, completely confidential helpline open 24/7. If you or someone you know is struggling with stress, anxiety, or depression, call, text or email. Calls are answered by trained counselors, and sometimes it’s easier to talk to someone you don’t know. And if you are experiencing business, financial, or legal problems, they will connect you to that kind of help.
Togetherall
Togetherall is a safe, anonymous online peer-to-peer community that is accessible 24/7 and moderated around the clock by licensed mental health professionals. The platform is available to farmers, ranchers, and members of their family who are age 16 and older by simply setting up a profile that assigns an anonymous username. Then, they are able to access a global network of peers who can listen and offer support. Farmers and ranchers can also join an agricultural sub-group where they can share or read the experiences of other farmers and support one another.
Mobile Crisis Teams
Mobile crisis teams are available in every Minnesota county and are provided by the Minnesota Department of Human Services. Mobile crisis team counselors can respond quickly and provide in-person, short-term counseling or mental health services during a crisis or emergency. Calls are answered immediately 24 hrs a day. Responders travel in private vehicles and generally arrive within 2 hours. Contact information can be found here.
Minnesota Rural Mental Health Specialists
Ted Matthews: 320-266-2390
Monica McConkey: 218-280-7785
Ted and Monica work with farmers throughout Minnesota. No cost; no paperwork. The service is available thanks to funds from the Minnesota Legislature. While you are welcome to contact either Monica or Ted, Monica generally serves the area north of Highway 12 (which runs from Ortonville through Willmar to the Twin Cities) and Ted generally serves the area south of Highway 12.
American Farm Bureau Farm State of Mind
The American Farm Bureau Farm State of Mind website has many resources surrounding mental health. These resources include contact information, resources to start a conversation surrounding mental health, research and much more.
Promotion and Education Resources
The Minnesota Farm Bureau Promotion and Education Committee is committed to promoting positive mental health in rural communities.
MFBF Mental Health Resources.pdf