Health & Wellness

Health & Wellness Resources

Individuals with a disability or health condition who work in agriculture may face challenges that can impact not only their productivity, but also their physical health, mental health, behavioral health, quality of life, or a combination.

Farming ranks as one of the most dangerous occupations in the country.

Listed here are resources recommended by AgrAbility PA staff members.

Pennsylvania Department of Health
-  Mission is to promote healthy lifestyles, prevent injury and disease, and assure the safe delivery of quality health care for all Commonwealth citizens.

Pennsylvania Office of Rural Health (PORH)
- Works with local state and federal partners to achieve equity in, and access to, quality health care for Pennsylvania’s rural residents
-Oversees the Farm Worker Protection Safety Program which provides technical and compliance assistance to agricultural producers and their employees in understanding and complying with the requirements of the Federal Environmental Protection Agency Worker Protection Standard

Penn State Agricultural Safety and Health
- Provides agricultural safety and health programs to reduce exposure to hazards, training to manage agricultural emergencies, and safety training for youth.

Penn State Youth, Family, and Health
- Penn State Extension offers a variety of links, articles, and resources covering nutrition, diet, and health information for individuals, children, and families.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau (PFB)
- Articles and resources on a variety of health topics: stroke, dental, vision, migraine, skin care, and more.

Arthritis and Agriculture
- Provides education and support of agricultural professionals and their families affected by arthritis.

Arthritis Foundation
- Offers information and tools to help people live a better life with arthritis.

AgriSafe Network
- Non-profit national organization representing health professionals and educators who strive to reduce health disparities found among the agricultural community through the effective delivery of agricultural occupational health services.
- CHECK OUT AgriSafe's YouTube channel for videos, including yoga for farmers!

A Guide to Back Health in Agriculture
-This 21-page booklet discusses many aspects of back problems in agricultural settings, including: types of back problems, causes of back problems, preventing back problems, managing back problems, and treatment for back problems.

Impairment Related Work Expenses (IRWE) for Farmers and Farm Workers 
- A resource summarized by a faculty member at The Ohio State University

Multiple Sclerosis - Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter
- The Pennsylvania Keystone Chapter works to improve the quality of life for people affected by MS in Central and Western PA and raise funds for critical MS research.

Pennsylvania Statewide Independent Living Council (PA SILC)
- A nonprofit, cross-disability, consumer-controlled organization that develops and secures public policies to ensure civil rights and expand options for all people with disabilities in all aspects of life

Farming is a life full of joy and love, but it also has its challenges.

Many aspects of the job are beyond a farmer's control - market prices, government regulations, drought, floods, disease outbreak... to name a few. Combined with long hours and financial pressures, farmers can experience high levels of stress.

Stress is defined as the degree to which someone feels overwhelmed or unable to cope as a result of pressures that are unmanageable. Some stress is normal but too much can be harmful.

Stress can impact all aspects of a farmer's life -- and differs from person to person. It is important to recognize when you are feeling stressed before the it becomes a chronic condition, or it leads to depression, anxiety, addiction, thoughts of suicide or other mental/behavioral health concerns.

Listed below are resources recommended by AgrAbility PA.

Articles

Throttle Back on Stress
- Farming is truly a stressful occupation. But, there are ways to find and use the throttles that control that flow of hormones and chemicals that fuel chronic stress.

Recognizing Symptoms of Stress during Farming Challenges
- Link will download PDF to computer or open on a mobile/tablet device

Five-Steps to Alleviate Farm Stress
- Link will download PDF to computer or open on a mobile/tablet device

‘Overwhelmed to hopeful’: AgrAbility helps farmers
- The research results indicate that distressed farmers in this study who obtained AgrAbility support improved their stress management and emotional well-being.

Avoiding Mental Health Care Stigma
- This circumstance is particularly relevant to agricultural producers because many are struggling with serious stress that is increasing their vulnerability to anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and even to the risk of suicide.

Training Resources

Communicating with Farmers Under Stress (webinar)
- Farmers and those in the agricultural industry have a tendency to be eternal optimists, but with all of the variability in agriculture, there are times when they can become overwhelmed and stressed more than usual.

Online Course on How To Handle Farm Stress (Free)
- The course is designed to help farmers and their families understand the signs and symptoms of chronic stress. The course also includes resources about how to handle your stress for a more productive mindset on your farm. (Follow instructions to create a Community ID login and password for guest access)

Mental Health First Aid - training course & resources
- Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. Learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.
 - AgrAbility PA staff members have completed this training course.

Organizations & Helplines

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
- Provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention, and crisis resources for you or your loved ones
- Call: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Crisis Text Line: Text "CONNECT" to 741741

County Crisis Intervention Centers in Pennsylvania (by county)
(Link will download PDF to computer or open on a mobile/tablet device)

Farm Aid
Phone: 1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243)
Calls answered from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday
Request support online
Visit Farm Aid's website for resources

Center for Dairy Excellence
- Stress can take a serious toll on your body and mind. If you do feel overwhelmed, find people you can lean on for guidance and support.

  • Call 717-346-0849 to ask for help and they will identify someone nearby with training in providing advice and counseling

National AgrAbility Project
-Provides support for state AgrAbility projects and services to farmers, ranchers, and agricultural workers with a disability in states without an AgrAbility project.
- Mental/Behavioral Health Resources

Iowa Concern
- Offers assistance for stress and mental health concerns. Focused on farming and the rural area, but will assist anyone who calls. Services are available nationwide.

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