The Delaware Farm Bureau (DEFB), in partnership with the Delaware Department of Agriculture (DDA), has launched a new mental health awareness initiative aimed at supporting the well-being of the agricultural community. As part of the campaign, stickers featuring the national suicide and crisis hotline number, 988, have been produced for placement in tractor cabs, farm offices, and other highly visible areas. The goal is to remind farmers and rural residents that “it’s okay to not be okay,” and that help is always available.
The stickers are free and available to anyone who would like to distribute or display them. DEFB and DDA are encouraging agricultural businesses, equipment dealerships, and service providers to make these stickers accessible to their customers and networks.
“Delaware’s farm families work tirelessly to feed our communities and care for our land. Yet many carry burdens beyond reaping the harvest. Fluctuating markets, unpredictable weather, and rising costs take a profound toll on their mental well-being,” said Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Don Clifton. “Amid all the uncertainties related to farming, I hope we have reached a point as a community where we make this a certainty, we are determined to meet our shared responsibility to ensure that those who feed us have mental health resources and support available to them. Let us cultivate a culture where seeking help is a sign of strength and every struggling farmer knows that they are not alone.”
The stressors associated with farming, including long hours, isolation, and high operational costs, can take a serious toll on mental health. In response, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) created the Farm State of Mind campaign, a nationwide effort to reduce stigma, raise awareness, and provide vital mental health resources to farmers and ranchers. The campaign includes helpful tips and tools for those who are struggling, as well as guidance for those supporting someone in need. These resources can be accessed at www.fb.org/initiative/farm-state-of-mind.
Steve Breeding, DEFB First Vice President and Sussex County Farm Bureau President, is currently serving on the AFBF Promotion and Engagement Committee where he has worked to help promote mental health awareness nationwide.
“After going through a time when my own mental health was at its lowest, I know how hard it can be to admit you need help, and even harder to actually ask for it,” said Breeding. “Seeing the Farm State of Mind 988 flyer and making that call was the best decision of my life. I hope these stickers help someone else make that same life-changing decision.”
For more information or to request stickers, contact alexis.langenfelder@defb.org or call the Delaware Farm Bureau office at 302-697-3183.
