From federal trade policies to the weather, farmers and ranchers are well-versed in uncertainty, but that stress can take its toll. The Farm and Rural Stress Hotline is a resource to help ag producers cope with the many challenges of the job.
Karl Oehlke is a P.A. with Avera Behavioral Health in Sioux Falls, and he’s a farmer. He knows firsthand what it means to stake his livelihood on uncertainty.
“You can have a hail storm come overnight and things are gone," he said. "It can happen slowly as prices erode, or it can happen very quickly—that we’ve seen with tariffs and those types of concerns. The biggest thing, obviously, we’re looking for stability at some point in time.”
The Farm and Rural Stress Hotline launched six years ago as a dedicated resource for a high-risk population. It can connect callers with mental health treatment options and other resources. Because it’s anonymous, any data from the hotline is ambiguous at best. Oehlke has noticed some recent trends, though.
“I am definitely seeing higher levels of stress, anxiety. You know, more folks calling in that maybe even had been somewhat stable over the last couple years because things had been a little bit better.”
Being a farmer himself allows Oehlke to build quick connections with callers. His office in Sioux Falls is decorated with pictures of his combine and other equipment, and it catches clients’ attention.
“I’ve had more than one person say, ‘Oh, you actually farm?’ You know, ‘I thought it was just a façade,’" Oehlke said with a chuckle. "I’m like, ‘No, I’m in the same boat you are. I’m wishing soybeans were worth more and my corn was worth more, and I know how much my line of credit is costing me in interest this year. I know exactly where they’re coming from and that sets up an ability for them to be more open with me. But also, you can almost see a calming, a relaxation that they’re like, ‘Oh, this might not be as bad as I was anticipating.’”
Oehlke says the mission of the hotline is to remind ag producers they’re not alone.
“I tell a lot of folks, you ask your agronomist for help or you call the vet for help for certain things. Hey, it’s okay to reach out for yourself too.”
The Farm and Rural Stress Hotline is free and available 24/7.
