September is Suicide Prevention Month—a time to remind ourselves that talking about mental health and suicide can save lives. In Northeast Missouri, this conversation is especially important in our rural communities. Rural America is where neighbors know one another, families often live close to the land they have worked for generations, and asking for help can sometimes feel like admitting you can’t handle things on your own.
But everyone needs support sometimes. ** Asking for help is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign that you recognize your life and your future are worth protecting. **
The Unique Pressures of Farm Families
Farming is more than a job for many families in Northeast Missouri. It is a way of life and a family legacy. For generational farmers, the land can represent decades or even centuries of family history. Financial challenges, changing markets, rising costs, weather, health concerns, and uncertainty about the future can create tremendous stress. The thought of losing a family farm can feel like losing much more than a business.
Recent reporting on suicides in Northeast Missouri has highlighted the connection between these pressures and mental health. Leaders with Shelby County Cares have emphasized that generational farms can bring an additional emotional burden when farmers fear they may be the generation that loses the family land. (Link)
And because farmers are often accustomed to solving problems themselves, reaching out for help may not come naturally.
Watch for the Signs
Suicide prevention isn’t only about what we do during a crisis. It starts with noticing when someone is struggling or simply not acting like their normal selves. Changes in behavior can be important warning signs. Someone who is struggling may:
- Withdraw from family or friends
- Lose interest in things they normally enjoy
- Seem unusually anxious or hopeless
- Talk about being a burden or feeling that there is no way forward.
You don’t have to be a mental health professional to make a difference. Sometimes the most important thing you can do is pay attention and then simply ask, “How are you really doing?” Listen without judgment, take their concerns seriously, and help connect them with someone who can provide professional support.
Help Is Available in Northeast Missouri
Fortunately, people in our communities don’t have to face these challenges alone.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, call or text 988. The service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and is free and confidential. (Website link)
AgriStress Helpline: Farmers, ranchers, agricultural workers, and their families can call or text 833-897-2474 for free, confidential support from professionals trained to understand the unique challenges of agriculture. The helpline is available 24/7. (Website link)
Shelby County Cares: Based in Clarence, Shelby County Cares works to strengthen farm families and rural communities throughout Northeast Missouri by connecting people with mental health and suicide prevention resources. They can be reached at 573-494-2280. (Website link)
A Conversation Can Make a Difference
Suicide prevention is a community responsibility. We should look out for our neighbors, check on the farmer who seems overwhelmed, call a family member who has been struggling, and remind one another that asking for help is okay.
At Northeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging, we believe older adults, caregivers, families, and communities deserve access to the resources they need to live healthy and connected lives.
If you or someone you care about needs help finding local resources and support, contact Northeast Missouri Area Agency on Aging at 660-665-4682.
If you are in immediate danger or experiencing a life-threatening emergency, call 911. If you are thinking about suicide or experiencing emotional distress, call or text 988.