Mental health is not something that should be taken lightly. It’s okay to not feel okay, but it’s also important to make sure that you and your loved ones are doing what you can to develop and promote positive mental health. This past Sunday, the American Farm Bureau Federation and partner organizations announced Togetherall at the American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Salt Lake City, Utah. Jessica Cabrera, American Farm Bureau Federation Managing Director of Member Engagement, said Togetherall is a new mental health resource for rural America.
“Togetherall is a safe, anonymous, online, peer-to-peer community,” Cabrera said. “It is accessible 24/7, and it is moderated around the clock by licensed clinicians. Farmers and their family members who are aged 16 or older can simply set up a profile that assigns an anonymous username. Then they can access a global network of peers who can listen to them and support them.”
Cabrera said there are many partner organizations that came together to make this happen.
“So, this resource is being launched by the Farm Family Wellness Alliance,” Cabrera said. “The Alliance is a coalition of organizations that include Farm Foundation, American Farm Bureau Federation, Farm Credit, CoBank, Iowa Farm Bureau, CHS, Land O’Lakes, National Farmers Union 4-H, FFA, Agriculture Future of America, Togetherall and Personal Assistance Services.”
Cabrera added that farmers, ranchers, and their families face some unique challenges when it comes to mental health.
“Farming is very challenging and often farmers are living in isolation or facing stigma about reaching out for help and taking that first step to reach out is often the hardest step to take,” Cabrera said. “They’ll think that it is a sign of weakness to reach out for help, when in reality, reaching out for help is a sign of strength. So, at this time having an online, anonymous, peer to peer community is a way for farmers and their families to be able to onboard themselves to the continuum of taking care of themselves.”
For more information, visit farmstateofmind.org.
