“A healthy farm is nothing without a healthy you.”
Resources for farmers and ranchers who are dealing with mental health issues or just needing professional support are often hard to find in rural communities. During Mental Health Awareness Month, the Farm Family Wellness Alliance experts shared what their space on “Togetherall” provides to users. The site is a safe, clinically moderated online peer-to-peer community.
According to organizers, users are able to access a global network of their peers backed by the safeguard of licensed clinicians overseeing the community around the clock. Access to the platform is available to members of a farm family who are 16 and older. Togetherall also offers a range of wellbeing tools, such as self-assessments and access to additional support services.
Shari Rogge-Fidler, president and CEO of Farm Foundation, said her organization is an accelerator of practical solutions for agriculture, and one of its four areas of project work is farm family health.
“We meet that in the most holistic way from financial health and mental and physical health,” she said. “So that’s part of our why in terms of Farm Foundation’s involvement in the farm family wellness.”
As a fifth-generation farm owner-operator, Rogge-Fidler understands the stressors farm and ranch families face each year.
“We can have wind, hail, drought and flood all in one season,” she said. “That alone is enough of a stressor.”
Other stress can include possible generational challenges, such as the uncertainty around transferring ownership to the next generation or the pressure a first-generation farmer or rancher faces, she said.
FFWA was established a few years ago, with a pilot program in 2020. Rogge-Fidler said the initial vision began after a disaster in Iowa, with just a few counties. Eventually it covered the state and part of Illinois. A long-term goal of making it available nationwide was met when it was launched earlier this year.
The alliance launched in January at the American Farm Bureau Federation convention, and Rogge-Fidler is thrilled to have the partners to elevate the program to every farm family and ranch across the United States.
Mary-Lyn Kieffer, senior manager, partnerships at Togetherall, said her involvement in the mental health space began with her own health journey. She appreciates a platform where those involved can speak among peers and be comforted.
“One of the unique features about the Togetherall community is it is anonymous,” she said. “I know for many people on their journey, they’re not quite ready to share that they might be struggling.”
On the togetherall.com website, users can find the Farm Family Wellness Alliance by searching for the organization’s name and then may begin registration. Once registered and part of the agricultural community on the site, Kieffer said users can find discussions related to agriculture.
She said users can configure the discussion searches so they can see what they want to see or participate in. Some users come to the platform and scroll, reading what others are talking about. Wall guides help users find the information they’re looking for and interact with other users.
“That’s why the wall guides are there as well, to be able to make sure that you feel included, but really they want to encourage other folks in the community to come in and share their support,” she said. “There is the option also for people to go into a little private chat. So if you find that you’re speaking to a few people, and you’re really kind of connecting and sharing each other’s experiences and really finding that support there is the ability to create a small group for that.”
Also on the website are other tools for different industries, groups, communities and courses. Kieffer reiterated how the forums are moderated and that there is oversight at all hours by licensed clinicians.
Amy Merz, with Personal Assistance Services, is an ag-credentialed clinician and has worked in the mental health and farming community for 30 years in the Midwest. She said the agriculture community is often isolated while farmers and ranchers also sometimes face challenging schedules.
“One of the things that we really like about the Togetherall platform is that it’s 24 hours and that you have that peer-to-peer,” she said. “When somebody asked about having direct conversations with folks in the platform, that’s really the goal. That’s the main reason why we wanted to have this option so that folks can talk to other folks who get it, not just clinicians.”
Statistics have shown those in agriculture have a higher risk for mental health challenges or even suicide, Merz said, and every time she discusses Togetherall, audiences are surprised at that increased risk.
All the services on the site are free and confidential and available to farmers, ranchers and their family members.
Free family and individual counseling, nutrition and health coaching, financial consultation and retirement coaching are also available, she said. Another service involves free legal consultation where family members can have an initial conversation with an attorney.
There are also retirement resources available, and that’s something a bit unexpected, she said.
“I know this is kind of a tricky situation because sometimes we just work and work and work and never retire,” Merz said. “But you really want to enjoy your retirement, and so that can be kind of tricky when you are when you are in this field or when you have a farm that you own.”
One last topic she discussed was the counseling benefit on the site.
“We know that there are some topics that folks want to talk about,” Merz said. “We make sure that our clinicians can also speak farm, speak ag and that they can be available the way that you need them.”
For more information about the alliance, visit www.farmfoundation.org/resources/farm-family-wellness-alliance/. Togetherall can be found at www.togetherall.com.
Kylene Scott can be reached at 620-227-1804 or [email protected].
