News Director Terry Frank is joined by the founder, and head of the national organization known as "Rural Minds" which is the only national, 501(c)3 organization that focuses solely on mental health equity. Winton says they represent not just farmers and ranchers, but, all 46-million people who live in rural parts of the United States. He says he started the group about 4-and-a-half years ago, after a family tragedy in which his nephew had committed suicide. Winton says no one knew or realized he was dealing with those issues because he seemed fine. He says he's optimistic though because the younger generations -- even those living in rural areas -- are more inclined to open up about their struggles. Winton says a lot of their work is based off of "storytelling," and using that to get people to talk about those struggles. We discuss efforts to get people to get over the stigma, and into help, which sometimes is hard to find in more isolated, and rural areas. We also talk about immediate help that's available at the national Suicide Help line at 988.

A national nonprofit organization based in Chautauqua County recently launched a program aimed at supporting mental wellness for farmers and farm families. Jeff Winton, the founder and chairman of Rural Minds, spoke about the Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program as a guest on Friday's edition of "Viewpoint" on WDOE. Winton says the program is like a "toolkit" for farmers who may not be comfortable discussing mental health issues in a support group or with a mental health provider...

Rural Minds Founder and Chairman Jeff Winton recently joined host Peter Stockdale on the Spin Markket Report to discuss the founding of Rural Minds, the unique challenges farmers and rural Americans face, the impact Jeff has seen since its inception, and more.

Why has mental health has become a leadership issue for agriculture and what will it take to make asking for help part of the job?

Resilience is one of agriculture’s most celebrated traits. It shows up in the way farmers and seed professionals absorb risk, adapt to shifting markets and keep showing up when the workday stretches long past daylight. It is embedded in family operations passed down through generations and in companies that survive downturns by staying disciplined and determined.

Each year, as we recognize the third Thursday of November as Rural Health Day, it’s important to acknowledge that mental health is the foundation of overall health for the 46 million people living in rural communities across the country. There is a mental health emergency in rural America due to inherent barriers to mental healthcare that lead to suicide rates that are 49% higher among rural residents compared to urban residents. You may not realize it, but regardless of where you live – a city, the suburbs, in the country – you depend upon the mental and physical wellness of the people living in rural America for the food you eat every day. Rural communities include those who labor to raise, harvest, process, and package the foods that fill our shopping carts and satisfy our appetites.

Rural Minds Founder & Chairman Jeff Winton was recently interviewed by Farm Broadcaster Lorrie Boyer.

Jeff Winton was on a national radio tour this spring raising awareness about US farmers’ declining mental health when he had a startling realization. As he described to a series of radio hosts from Iowa to Texas the sense of isolation and despondency increasingly affecting the agricultural workforce, he noticed with a jolt that he was describing himself.

As a Chautauqua County native and resident and mental health advocate, I was beyond appalled to read the callous comments made by the Dunkirk City Council in the article on May 10 OBSERVER, “Destitute man vexes city officials.”