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 Americans, including those here in New York State, are nearly 50 percent more likely to die by suicide than residents living in more urban areas. What is even more shocking is that young people growing up in rural areas like Chautauqua County are 74 percent more likely to die by suicide than their urban peers. This is unacceptable and something must be done before more lives are lost,” said Jeff Winton of Mayville, founder and chairman of Rural Minds, an organization dedicated to improving mental health in rural areas. “The formation of this committee will allow New York State to further focus and advance suicide prevention and improved mental health services for all residents of this state. A similar bill has been passed in Maryland that is helping to provide insights and greater understanding of this growing epidemic we have in America, where every 11 minutes someone dies from suicide.”

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.

Rural Minds, a local nonprofit organization focused on mental health in rural America, has recently launched a new program focused on connecting farmers to mental health resources.

The new program, known as the Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program, has been developed to provide farmers and their loved ones information on the importance of mental wellness. Carol Anderson with Rural Minds said other information includes what mental illness is, the types of mental illness and any resources for getting help, information and conversation starters.

 On February 4, 2026, the Congressional Neuroscience Caucus (CNC), in cooperation with the American Brain Coalition (ABC), American College of Neuropsychopharmacology (ACNP), American Neurological Association (ANA), American Psychiatric Association, One Mind, Society for Neuroscience, The STARR Coalition, Bristol Myers Squibb, Neurocrine Biosciences, and Otsuka US, hosted a briefing highlighting the current neuroscience research that explains how mental health conditions develop, how stigma influences health outcomes, and what evidence-based strategies can effectively reduce societal and self-stigma.

Last week during Commodity Classic, we sat down to discuss the topic of mental health and awareness in rural America and farm country. Carol Anderson with Rural Minds joined us to discuss their newly launched Farmer Mental Health Resilience Program. It was created by Rural Minds to provide farmers and ranchers, farm families, farm workers, and those who support them with practical, trusted mental health resources. This free program offers education, tools, and support to help strengthen resilience, reduce stigma, and save lives.

Rural Minds Founder & Chairman, Jeff Winton, recently joined host Mike Rydell on The Crop Insurance Podcast.

“In this episode of the Crop Insurance Podcast, I’m joined by Jeff Winton, a dairy farmer and the founder/chairman of Rural Minds — a national nonprofit focused on improving mental health equity in rural America. Jeff shares the personal story that sparked Rural Minds, what he’s hearing across farm communities, and practical ways to start the conversation, reduce stigma, and connect people to real help.

The Mayville Chautauqua Lions Club held a Bills Watch Party fundraiser for the organization at the Mayville VFW, that besides watching the game also included tailgate food and a raffle, with all of the proceeds going towards Rural Minds. One of the big items for the raffle was a Buffalo Bills player Dawson Knox cleat, donated from the team. 

There are four lions clubs in the county, and the Mayville Chautauqua Lions Club covers the area of Mayville, Westfield, Clymer, Chautauqua and Sherman. 

PENNSYLVANIA — Farmers spend a lot of time managing their equipment, their animals and their crops, but there’s one area they need to pay more attention to: their mental health.

Jeff Winton is the founder and chairman of Rural Minds, a nonprofit based in Mayville, NY that aims to combat the staggering rates of suicide and depression that plague the agricultural community nationwide. As a farmer himself, Winton knows that rural communities would rather hear advice from one of their own.

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.

Randal Shelby planned carefully and waited years to ditch a career spent in hospitals and medical centres to chase a dream in which he traded antiseptic hallways full of sick patients for the great outdoors.

His new life started six years ago, after he secured about US$1.3 million in financing for a Case combine and other equipment, fertilisers, seed and labour needed to produce soybeans and rice, staples that enjoyed strong demand overseas, primarily from China.

Randal Shelby planned carefully and waited years to ditch a career spent in hospitals and medical centres to chase a dream in which he traded antiseptic hallways full of sick patients for the great outdoors.

His new life started six years ago, after he secured about US$1.3 million in financing for a Case combine and other equipment, fertilisers, seed and labour needed to produce soybeans and rice, staples that enjoyed strong demand overseas, primarily from China.

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.

Rural Minds Founder & Chairman Jeff Winton recently spoke on a webinar hosted by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.

The webinar is the second session of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's (AFSP) Health Equity Summit, focusing on advancing health equity in suicide prevention. The summit emphasizes the need for culturally relevant, relatable, and accessible resources for communities with disproportionate impacts related to suicide, including rural communities.

On Saturday, November 1, Rural Minds Founder & Chairman Jeff Winton was hosted by Doc Hamels on the television program Chautauqua Sunrise. The two discussed the ongoing crisis of mental illness in rural America, as well as the forthcoming National Rural Mental Health Month.

Rural Minds VP of Communications Julie Lux was recently featured on a webinar hosted by the Caregiver Action Network: From Stigma to Support: A Caregiver’s Role in Mental Health Care & Substance Use Recovery.

“Stigma remains one of the most powerful—and painful—barriers for those navigating mental health and substance use challenges. This powerful conversation, hosted by Caregiver Action Network, features lived experiences and expert insights into how stigma impacts individuals, families, and entire communities—and what we can do to break the silence.”