From inflation to climate change, Wisconsin farmers face numerous sources of stress that can't help but affect their health. And one program is offering mental and emotional support to farm operators who need it.

The Farmer Wellness Program, an initiative of the state's Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, offers in-person and remote counseling for farmers across the state.

Dan Bauer, program supervisor for the Wisconsin Farm Center, which administers the program, said they also have a 24/7 emergency line.

"So, that 24/7 line is available to farmers," he said, "and really, what it's designed to do is to get them through a terribly tough time. It's not for ongoing care, or not for long-term treatment."

In a December poll of farmers and farm workers commissioned by the American Farm Bureau Federation, more than 60% of respondents said they felt more stress in 2021 compared with the previous year. They cited financial issues, fear of losing their farms and an uncertain future among their greatest stressors.

According to a 2020 report from the National Institutes of Health, about 6.5 million rural Americans struggle with mental-health issues, but counseling services tend to cluster in urban and suburban areas.

Dr. Rhonda Randall, UnitedHealthcare executive vice president and chief medical officer, said technology has made inroads in improving rural access to mental-health services.

"Tele-Behavioral Health has really been beneficial in helping equal out that access, because now licensed mental-health professionals can practice and care for people in communities that may have otherwise had a very long drive to get to see them," she said, "so, think about people in rural areas."

The NIH report estimated as many as 65% of non-metropolitan counties lack a psychiatrist. Bauer said DAT-CAP's "Rural Realities" podcast also can offer helpful tips to farmers looking to prioritize their mental health.

A new Healthy Minds Study finds college students' mental health in Connecticut and nationwide is improving.

In the last ten years, there have been significant increases in anxiety, depression, and suicidal thoughts.

But the change in this trend is being attributed to increasing attention to student mental health, with schools providing greater access to mental health care and resources.

Erin Voichoski, research area specialist with the Healthy Minds Network, said students are also seeing increases in positive mental health.

"Students feel like they are actively contributing to the happiness of others," said Voichoski. "They feel that they are competent and capable in things that interest them. They feel optimistic about their future. They feel like they are a good person and live a good life. Those are things that can coexist sometimes, with symptoms of depression and anxiety."

The researchers also found increasing use of therapy and medication among college students. Along with this, personal and public stigma about students' mental health has remained low.

Colleges and universities across Connecticut received grant funding for mental health services through the state's Higher Education Mental Health Services Initiative.

The report also notes loneliness in college students is declining, after reaching great heights during the pandemic. Voichoski said she feels the trend is promising, although the level is still quite high.

She said there are several takeaways for campus officials to keep in mind.

"We have the data," said Voichoski. "We've established that there is a need for these services and resources on college campuses, and the people who are making decisions on these campuses need to continue collecting data that can inform their decisions."

Voichoski said she feels having this kind of data ensures schools know how best to spend money on mental health resources for their students.

While the improvements are small so far, she said continued conversations about mental health can go a long way to help end the stigmas.

Advocates for people battling Alzheimer's disease and their families are marching in Des Moines this weekend to raise money for brain research and ultimately, to find a cure.

Alzheimer's is a degenerative brain disease and the most common cause of dementia.

Lauren Livingston, communications director for the Iowa chapter of the Alzheimer's Association, said marchers are trying to raise $500,000 and while the funds are critical, she stressed the point of the event goes beyond raising money.

"I've heard a lot of people who come to the event who are personally affected say that they feel like it's kind of a big support group," Livingston explained. "Where you are getting together with other families who have been through something the same, or very similar, to what you've been through with your loved one."

Roughly 62,000 Iowans suffer from Alzheimer's disease and Livingston pointed out the number grows every year. At least 100,000 family members and caregivers in the state are also directly affected.

The Alzheimer's Association reported the number of disease-related deaths doubled between 2000 and 2021, despite a huge increase in research. Nationwide, 7 million people have been diagnosed, and at least 11 million caregivers are directly affected. Livingston noted money raised during the march will be used to provide services to them, too.

"Services like support groups for caregivers and education programs to help people learn about the disease and what to expect if a loved one is living with it," Livingston outlined. "We're there to help caregivers right now, when they're in the middle of the disease with their loved one."

There still is no cure for Alzheimer's disease but federal regulators have recently approved medications that can slow its progression.


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By Reyna Revelle for WISH-TV.
Broadcast version by Joe Ulery for Indiana News Service reporting for the WISH-TV-Free Press Indiana-Public News Service Collaboration

Health care providers recognize the need to ensure accessible, culturally competent mental health support, especially with the growing diversity in central Indiana and the resources available to those in crisis.

Dr. Sally Fleming, a clinical psychologist at Riley's Children's Hospital at IU Health, told News 8, "It is a real issue here in our home state of Indiana. We see it daily. But, it's throughout our state for all ages. It's not just the kids, it's everyone, and the numbers are not decreasing."

IU Health has made strides to expand its suicide prevention programs. Its health care providers have been training staff on the best practices for supporting others from diverse backgrounds. They have worked to reach underserved groups and destigmatize conversations around mental health.

Fleming said, "Suicide rates are higher. Suicidal ideation.. these things are higher in our population of more diverse ethnic groups, and we have to be aware of that as clinicians and ask the right questions."

The clinical psychologist says the stress of coming to a new country combined with disparities in socioeconomic status are complex factors that can profoundly affect mental health and suicide risk. Prioritizing mental well-being is taught through support groups, education, and action.

"One program I'm involved in is the Collaborative Assessment Management of Suicidality. It is suicide-specific and held at Riley hospital. This is primarily for our teenagers who have experienced suicidal ideation and attempts."

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports suicide is the second-leading cause of death for Hoosiers from the ages of 14 to 39. It also says, in the past year, 5% of Hoosier adults and 11.1% of young adults from the ages of 18 to 25 have experienced suicidal thoughts.

Jason Craig, director of the Indiana Suicide Prevention Network, said, "Suicide affects anybody and everybody. There is no discrimination to suicide or thoughts of suicide. Bringing awareness to things like the 988 line; they have interpreters available significant for all walks of life."

A recent study shows that the majority of adults believe that suicide can be prevented, and 96% of adults in the U.S. would act if someone close to them were thinking about suicide.

"You can be that shining light of hope for somebody by asking how you are doing and being sincere with that ask," Craig said.


Reyna Revelle wrote this article for WISH-TV.


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