For people in our area who own farms, free counseling and stress management support are available to Texas agricultural producers and their families through FarmHope, a collaborative effort of the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service and the Texas A&M Health Telehealth Institute.
Farmers and ranchers face some of the highest rates of anxiety, depression, substance use and suicide in the nation. Yet many rural residents struggle to access care due to distance from providers, workforce shortages, limited available services and persistent stigma.
Much of the stress comes from uncertainty about things out of their control, such as the weather and negative changes in market conditions. And, for families with generational farms and ranches, there’s a pressure to continue that legacy.Texas ag producers, farm workers, and their family members can receive free, confidential counseling from a clinician who understands the unique stressors of agriculture. No insurance or provider referrals are required, and it is all private from the home.
The service is available through http://u.tamu.edu/
