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Farm Bureau poll shows impact of COVID-19 on mental health
A recent American Farm Bureau survey shows the mental health of farmworkers has been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.
The poll shows two out of three farmers or farmworkers say the pandemic affected them, and more than half of rural adults under 34 have thought more about their mental health more than other age groups. Farm Bureau says two-thirds of adults under 44 years old are personally experiencing more mental health challenges now than a year ago.
The poll also shows farmers have obstacles to seeking help or treatment. Farm Bureau says the cost went down and farmers have less embarrassment about seeking help, but the availability and accessibility of mental health assistance is more of a barrier than it was before the pandemic.
AFBF President Zippy Duvall says Farm Bureau is stepping up efforts through their Farm State of Mind campaign because the need for support is real and they can’t allow lack of access or the ‘too tough to need help’ mentality to stand in the way of helping farmers.
