Farm State of Mind: Supporting Mental Health in Rural America
Dec 2, 2025
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Mental health in rural America is a topic that too often goes unspoken—but thanks to the American Farm Bureau’s Farm State of Mind campaign, that conversation is finally changing.
The initiative began in 2017 with a simple but powerful mission: letting farmers and ranchers know it’s okay to reach out for help. What started as a response to the opioid crisis in rural communities has grown into a nationwide effort to address the broader mental health challenges facing agriculture today.
Recognizing the Real Issue
Bailey Corwin, co-leader of the Farm State of Mind campaign, says the shift happened quickly once the Farm Bureau realized just how widespread mental health struggles were among producers.
“We were originally focusing on the opioid epidemic in rural America… but then we realized there was a much larger problem at play, and that's the overall issue of mental health struggles in rural America,” Corwin explained.
Since then, the campaign has worked to identify the problem, break stigma, and connect farmers with meaningful resources.
The Biggest Misconception: Asking for Help Is Weakness
Corwin says the most harmful misconception in rural communities is the idea that asking for help means you’re weak.
“Farmers and ranchers are really tough people. They think if I just work a little harder or spend a little longer in the tractor, I’ll be able to fight my way out of this,” she said. “But it's actually the exact opposite. Reaching out for help is a sign of strength—not weakness.”
For many, speaking up is the first and most important step toward getting better.
A First-of-Its-Kind Mental Health Directory
One of the campaign’s biggest accomplishments is the creation of a national searchable directory of mental health resources, available at farmstat
eofmind.org. This tool connects farmers, ranchers, and their families with counselors, crisis hotlines, support organizations, and more—no matter where they live.
Over the years, the list has continued to grow. The site now includes:
Mental health training opportunities
Tips for starting conversations with someone who may be struggling
Testimonials from farmers and ranchers
Expanded resource categories tailored to rural communities
Corwin says the goal is simple: no producer should feel alone or unsure of where to turn.
Continuing the Conversation
The Farm State of Mind campaign remains committed to bringing mental health struggles out of the shadows and supporting the people who feed the world. And for farmers and ranchers who may be struggling today, the message is clear:
It’s okay to not be okay—and reaching out is a sign of strength.
