At 3 a.m., my son Tyler (not his real name) pounds on my bedroom door asking for a kratom drink (more about that later), coffee, and his daily spending money. I stay in bed. At 3:15, 3:45, 4, and 5:30 a.m., he pounds again. Three hours of sleep for me. Probably none for him. Not good for either of our mental illnesses. I’m the father and guardian of my 33-year-old son Tyler who lives with a serious mental illness (SMI) – schizoaffective disorder….

Most people associate the word “rural” with farms and bales of hay. I can suggest an association you may not have expected. Ridgecrest, where I’ve lived for the last 14 years, is a town of 28,000 in the Mojave Desert of California, a city that doesn’t produce crops but is home to a U.S. Navy base where the enlisted and Department of Defense (DoD) employees work on classified research and development projects, test planes (the weather is especially good for that), and develop technologies for soldiers. Ridgecrest is definitely rural both in how its people view the rest of the world and in its remoteness from services. The closest towns, with abundant medical services and shopping (Lancaster, CA, and Palmdale, CA), are 140 miles away roundtrip.

It may sound like a cliché that life can change in an instant. However, my life did just that following the sudden death by suicide in September 2012 of my 28-year-old nephew Brooks Winton, a family man who adored his three-year-old twins.

THE IMPETUS FOR RURAL MINDS

Brooks was employed as a farmer and steelworker – jobs that have notably high rates of suicide. Brooks hid his personal issues behind an easygoing smile and an infectious laugh. His premature death occurred within days of his brother’s wedding. As I was leaving the reception, Brooks gave me a big hug and said, “Uncle Jeff, thank you for everything you have done for my family.” Brooks was always grateful for any show of support…so I didn’t realize this was his way of saying goodbye.

Farming has always required resilience. Each season brings new uncertainties, and every soybean grower knows the pressures that come with working the land. In recent years, those pressures have grown. Volatile markets, rising input costs, unpredictable weather and supply chain disruptions have pushed stress levels to new heights—and the impact extends far beyond the fields.

A recent American Farm Bureau Federation survey found that more than half of rural adults—and nearly two-thirds of farmers and farm workers—have experienced increased stress and mental health challenges compared to a few years ago. Also, according to the Center for Disease Control, farmers are estimated to be 3.5 times more likely to die by suicide than those in other occupations. Yet access to mental healthcare remains limited in many rural communities.

Life on a family farm may look peaceful with the wide-open fields, deep connection to nature, a consistent routine, a slower pace compared to busy cities, and more. But for Jeremy McChesney, those same fields carry the emotional weight of experiencing loss, financial pressure, family struggles, and years of silent mental battles. His story is proof that even in rural communities, the fight for mental stability can be the hardest, yet the most crucial battle.

A Webinar in Partnership with the New York State Office of Mental Health and the Suicide Prevention Center of New York State

• Understand and appreciate some of the unique challenges that the 46 million Americans in rural areas of our country face in accessing adequate mental health care.

• Learn about Rural Minds, including our mission, vision, and work across the United States.

• Specifically, we will highlight our several programs and partnerships in New York where we are headquartered.

In this interview with Families for Depression Awareness, Rural Minds Executive Director Chuck Strand provided resources and information about overcoming barriers to mental health treatment for family caregivers in rural America who support a loved one with a mood disorder.

Mental health is crucial in the agriculture community due to the unique challenges farmers, ranchers and other agricultural workers face. These individuals often endure high stress levels caused by unpredictable weather, fluctuating markets, long working hours, and isolation in rural areas. Such pressures can lead to mental health issues like anxiety, depression, and even suicide. Ensuring proper mental health support for this community is vital for their personal well-being and sustaining agricultural productivity. Addressing mental health can improve decision-making, resilience, and overall quality of life in a sector that plays a foundational societal role.

What are you thankful for? It’s a question that often comes up at this time of year, especially as many of us gather with family and friends around the Thanksgiving table. While celebrating gratitude during the holiday season is a heart-warming tradition that can boost your spirits, practicing gratitude regularly can benefit your physical and mental health throughout the year.

My parents both showed up for all my 4-H and FFA activities from livestock shows and club meetings and always picked me up and dropped me off at leadership camp. We were a family of five, and I was the youngest of my siblings. I am sure there was stress within the family, but it wasn’t noticeable or anything out of the ordinary looking back as an adult. However, our family had an unexpected and abrupt change when I was 15.

Earlier this year, Rural Minds partnered with the nonprofit organization Horses for Mental Health in the making of a video to help increase awareness and improve access to programs that incorporate horses for mental health in rural America. You can watch this powerful story of resilience and healing here: Supporting Mental Health in Rural Communities.

In this blog, you’ll learn how involving horses in psychotherapy and counseling sessions can help individuals with mental health challenges and also find additional resources for equine-assisted therapy.

In today's fast-paced world, people often find themselves caught in a constant loop of social media updates, work notifications, and never-ending to-do lists. This persistent connectivity can lead to FOMO or the Fear of Missing Out. FOMO is the anxiety stemming from the belief that others are experiencing better moments without you. This fear can keep you glued to your screens, leaving you with feelings of inadequacy and dissatisfaction.

But there's an antidote—JOMO, the Joy of Missing Out. JOMO is about finding happiness in what you are doing and where you are without the constant worry of missing out on something better. It encourages you to slow down, appreciate your experiences, and prioritize your well-being.