Even beloved jobs can cause stress when coupled with the holidays. Farming is no exception.

Research suggests that farmers are at higher risk for suicide and rates of mental illness than the general public, in large part because of the nature of their work and the interconnected nature of their personal and professional lives. 

Farmers must determine the best course of action for their personal and professional lives based upon numerous factors outside their control including weather, legislative actions, market price fluctuations, and operating overhead, among others. Unlike other manufacturers of goods, farmers cannot adjust the sale price of their products to absorb operating costs. 

During the annual autumnal harvest season, stressors reach a new high on farms around the state. With harvest comes the uncertainty of yield and whether the harvest will be enough to cover the operating costs accrued during the year.

Adding to the pressure of harvest are the holidays.

According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 64 percent of people note the holidays “make their mental illness worse.” Research from NAMI also notes that 68 percent of holiday stress is directly related to financial concerns.

For farmers worrying about whether or not their harvest will pay for the year and whether there will be enough money for meals, gifts, and the rest of the holiday trimmings is a double whammy of stress.

Which is why it is crucial for the agricultural community to check in on friends and neighbors and offer support. If there are people in and around the agricultural community that appear to be struggling, NAMI offers a few suggestions to help combat the “holiday blues” and, possibly, the “harvest blues,” too:

• Don’t worry about how things should be;
• Be realistic;
• Don’t try to be a superhero (or heroine);
• Volunteer;
• Keep your own well-being in mind;
• Give the holidays/harvest some thought; and
• Make sure the “blues” aren’t something more by seeking help.

The agricultural community is often depicted as stoic by people looking from the outside in and we do ourselves no favors by reinforcing that stereotype. As harvest and the holidays continue, it is important for us all to take care of one another and bear in mind that we could all use a little help from our friends.

If you or someone you know is struggling during this harvest and holiday season, you are not alone. Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 (TALK) 24/7 to talk with someone.