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Southwind District

Erie Office

111 South Butler
Erie, KS 66733
620-244-3826
Fax:  620-244-3829

Fort Scott Office

210 South National
Fort Scott, KS 66701
620-223-3720
Fax:  620-223-0332

Iola Office

1006 N. State St.
Iola, KS 66749
620-365-2242
Fax:  620-365-7944

Yates Center Office

211 W. Butler
Yates Center, KS  66783
620-625-8620
Fax:  620-625-8645
 
 
Effective June 1, 2023
all offices will be open
8 am to 4:30 pm and 
closed from 12 to 12:30 pm for lunch.

 

 
 

Ag Stress

Farming often is listed as one of the most stressful occupations, yet most farmers say they wouldn't trade it for any other job.  Stress is normal and can be healthy as it might push us to do things that can promote growth.  But, too much acute stress or piled up chronic stress can result in serious physical and emotional problems.

Even under similar circumstances, farm operators vary in the amount of stress they experience.  Some people may have many negative stressors, but experience low levels of stress because they have developed effective ways to cope.  For other farm men and women,however, pressures may exceed their coping resources and they may show signs of chronic stress.  Stress can show itself in physical symptoms, such as headaches or stomach problems, or in emotional symptoms, such as angry outbursts or depression.  Behavior changes, like increased smoking, drinking or drug use, also can be a reaction to stress. 

Stress that is not managed well can play havoc with the farm family and the farm operation.  When stress levels get too high, farmers are more likely to make poor farming decisions and be involved in farm injuries.  Relationships between spouses and between parents and children also suffer during stressful times.

The information below can be helpful in identifying stressors, managing rural stress, identifying coping strategies and building a strong farm resource network.

Farm Stress: You're Not Alone Video

Identifying Stress

Should I Be Feeling This Way? - KS Wheat

Understanding Suicide and Depression

Understanding Stress and Depression

Youth Farm Stress

Managing Farm Stress

Ways to Manage Your Stress

12 Tools for your wellness toolbox in times of farm stress

Coping Strategies for Farm Stress

Stress Management for Couples (NDSU Extension)

Stress Management for Farmers and Ranchers (NDSU Extension)

Managing Stress - Tips and Resources

KansasAgStress.org

Additional Resources

Mental Health

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-8255

Working with Distressed Clientele  (NDSU Extension)

Disasters: Children's Responses and Helping Them Recover

Farm Crisis Center: Offers Disaster, Mental Health, and financial Assistance.

Farm Aid Hotline: (800) 327-6243 M-F 9am-5pm eastern time

Call 988: Statewide 24-hour helpline, health and human services information and referral

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline Image

Disabilities on the Farm

Kansas AgrAbility: Assist people with disabilities in agriculture

Opioid Assistance

Farm Town Strong: Farmer - to - Farmer support to bring attention and help to those struggling with opioid addiction.

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA): Helps reduce the impact of substance abuse and mental illness.

Drug Disposal Location Tool 

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic in Farm Country - AFB

Financial Guidance

Farm Analyst Program

Kansas Agriculture Mediation Services

Kansas Farm Management Association