b'illnessthat is the equivalent of nearly 50 millionproduced by Commodity Classic, the farmer-ledQUICK REFERENCEAmericans. Unfortunately, over half of adults withand focused agricultural educational experience, a mental illness do not receive treatments, whichin collaboration with The National Association of totals to over 27 million adults in the U.S. untreatedFarm Broadcasters. U.S. Mental Health Crisis Line: 988for a mental illness. Panelists Adrienne DeSutter, Ted Matthews, Mental health awareness starts with educationJason Medows and Lowell Neitzel come togetherFarm Aid Hotline: 1-800-FARM-AIDand understanding the impact of mental health. to highlight the importance of the mental healthAvera Farm and Rural When implementing mental health policiesissues farmers face. Through personal stories, theStress Hotline: and practices, the best place to start is simplypanelists aim to reassure listeners that they are not1-800-691-4336with education, says Adrienne DeSutter, mentalalone in their struggles.health specialist with the Farm State of Mind. TakeYou know, as farmers, were supposed to be time to understand mental health in all forms,these tough guys. We just run hard all the time, and from learning about mental health conditions (likenothing can take us down. But, you know, we have depression or anxiety) to being proactive players inso much worry and so much stuff on the platePre-pandemic, managing stress. Creating a healthy work climatethat sometimes we cant handle it all at once. It for your employees will be much more effectiveis refreshing to have people I look to in my com- 19.86% of if you know more about the mental health youremunity as role models and leaders to say, Hey, Iveadults experiencedhoping to protect. been in your position too, and it was really eye- a mental illnessA great resource to learn about mental health,opening and nice to hear that theyd been in my to hear personal stories from individuals in thesituation too and I wasnt alone, Neitzel shared in agriculture industry, as well as experts, are pod- the episode.casts. Check out these to expand your knowledgeMental Illness Happy Hour. Hosted by come-of mental health: dian Paul Gilmartin, the Mental Illness Happy How to Promote Mental Health in Agriculture.Hour podcast (mentalpod.com) talks to weekly Reynolds and Jessica Cabrera, managing directorguests about their mental health struggles. at American Farm Bureau Federation, joined SeedGilmartins comedic background lends to the vul-World Group to discuss the importance of mentalnerability of the show, proving that even those who health awareness in the agricultural community. appear the happiest deal with mental illnesses.We may not all deal with a mental illness atGilmartin takes this clich seriously, creating a some point in our lives, but we all are going to haveperversely safe place in which he and his guests challenges with our mental health at some point,talk about their fears, addictions and traumatic says Reynolds. childhoods. As a result, The Mental Illness Happy I think we, especially in agriculture, haveHour isnt funny; if anything, its so unfunny that it normalized some indicators. Do you have a shorttakes a few episodes to realize that what youre lis-fuse? Are you always tired? Are you eating moretening to is not a goof, shared the New York Times. Over half of or eating less? Are you consuming alcohol moreWhile Mental Illness Happy Hour is not spe- adultswith than you should be? These are all things that wevecific to the agricultural industry, every human facesa mental illness normalized in the industry as personality traits,similar struggles and can utilize the shows nearlydo not receive but they are often all symptoms of an underlying600 episodes as a resource to learn more abouttreatments, which mental health or mental illness that we need to bemental health. totals toover 27 dealing with or seeking professional help for.Pauls hope is that the show and this websitemillionadults in Do More Ag and Farm Bureau both offerwill give people a place to connect, smile and feelthe U.S. untreated extensive resources, such as Farm Bureausthe return of hope. The biggest myth about mentalfor a mental illness.national resource directory, which includes a list ofillness is that you are alone and there is no help. resources for every state and Puerto Rico. Help starts with talking to someone who knows Sometimes people email me from a small com- exactly how you feel, explained the official website munity in a state far from here asking, Who can Ifor Mental Illness Happy Hour.SWturn to? To have that directory, to be able to say,WHERE Well tell me what state youre from, and lets findON THE WEBsome of the resources that are available near you is very, very helpful, explains Cabrera.Want to listen to the full episodes of these podcasts?Mental Health on the Farm. This podcast (com- Visit: seedworld.com/three-podcasts-about-mental-health for links to allmodityclassic.com/mental-health-on-the-farm) isthree episodes.52/ SEEDWORLD.COMSEPTEMBER 2022'