The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has launched the AgriStress Helpline for Virginia to provide the Commonwealth’s agricultural producers with mental health support.
The helpline is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and has interpretation services for 160 languages.
Farmers may call or text (833) 897-2474 to speak directly with a healthcare professional.
Crisis specialists have access to a Virginia specific curated database of agricultural and health resources.
“The physical demands of farming, isolation, weather variability, fluctuating input cost and commodity prices can all impact mental health. Stigma and privacy concerns associated with obtaining mental health services may cause some producers to refuse to seek out these very important resources,” said Matthew Lohr, Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. “The AgriStress Helpline for Virginia is specifically geared to those in the state’s agricultural community who are seeking mental health support.”
VDACS partnered with AgriSafe to launch the AgriStress Helpline for Virginia, which is supported by grant funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network.
VDACS received $500,000 in funding which will support a wide range of agricultural stress programming in addition to the AgriStress Helpline for Virginia.
AgriSafe is a national 501c3 organization representing health and safety professionals who strive to reduce health disparities in the agricultural community.
“I am pleased that through our partnership with AgriSafe, we have a dedicated helpline for Virginia agricultural producers. In addition to being a free, confidential resource, this new helpline aids our efforts to promote mental health and stress awareness and broaden the availability of resources to reduce stress points in rural Virginia,” said Joseph Guthrie, Commissioner of VDACS.
In addition to the new helpline, VDACS is also collaborating with the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, Virginia Tech, AgrAbility Virginia, FARMVA, and other industry organizations, to offer trainings and other services to destigmatize and recognize the critical issue of stress among Virginia farmers.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
A new 988 code went into effect in July. The code isn’t specific to agriculture but is designed to provide mental health resources and support suicide prevention. The three-digit code is directed to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
Anyone may call or text 988 – or may chat online at 988lifeline.org
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Crystal Graham
