To address mental health crises in rural areas, MU Extension has compiled the following mental health resources for consumers and professionals. These resources also include free telehealth counseling by a trusted professional who understands agriculture. To request free, confidential telehealth counseling, visit muext.us/PSCFarmRanch, email adpsc@missouri.edu or call 573-882-4677.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Use our Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit (PDF) to raise awareness about mental health, fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, make referrals, and advocate for polices that support the individuals and families in our agricultural communities. The toolkit is also available as a digital flipbook.

We have a team of specialists working to address these issues and the needs associated with them:

Meet our team   View events

Couple surveying the scene after a disaster

Coping with Disaster or Trauma

Disasters and traumatic events take a toll on everyone involved. Stress, anxiety and depression are common reactions after a disaster.

Here are resources to help survivors, first responders and health care practitioners who are dealing with the aftermath of a disaster or traumatic event.

Resources

Older male farmer deep in thought

Suicide Prevention

Although suicide affects every geographic region in the U.S., research suggests rural populations face persistent and widening increases in suicide.

These resources can help with recognizing and addressing stress and mental health issues, suicide-proofing your home, coping after losing a loved one to suicide, and more.

Resources

Man comforting an upset friend

Substance Abuse Prevention

Substance abuse can be hard to combat in rural communities due to limited resources for prevention, treatment and recovery.

The resources provided here are intended to help communities address substance abuse issues and spread substance abuse prevention messaging.

Resources


Show-Me Strong Farm Families is supported by funds from the North Central Farm and Ranch Stress Alliance Center (NCFRSAC), USDA NIFA grant number 2020-70028-32728.


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Dial 988 for suicide and crisis lifeline
Need help now?

Call 988 for 24/7, free and confidential support, or visit the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline website.