Join the Conversation Around Mental Health: You Just Might Save a Life

Positive mental health doesn't mean the absence of mental illness; rather, it involves resilience, the ability to bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a sense of balance and well-being.

By Laura Wesselmann and Gina Bennett

Mental health refers to a person's psychological, emotional and social well-being. It encompasses various aspects of an individual's life, including their thoughts, feelings, behaviors, and ability to cope with stress and adversity. Good mental health allows people to function effectively in their daily lives, maintain fulfilling relationships, and adapt to changes and challenges.

Mental health is influenced by a combination of biological, psychological, and environmental factors. Genetics, brain chemistry, traumatic experiences and life events can all play a role in shaping a person's mental health.

Positive mental health doesn't mean the absence of mental illness; rather, it involves resilience, the ability to bounce back from setbacks, and maintain a sense of balance and well-being. Mental illnesses are conditions that affect a person's thinking, feeling, mood, or behavior, such as depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar disorder and others.

Promoting mental health involves fostering supportive environments, reducing stigma around mental illness, providing access to mental health care and resources, and encouraging self-care practices. It's essential to recognize the importance of mental health and seek help when needed to maintain overall well-being.

Recognizing the importance of providing our employees and production partners with the right mental health resources, The Maschhoffs have been partnering with Extension offices at Iowa State University and University of Illinois to offer Mental Health First Aid trainings.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a course that gives people the skills to help a person who may be developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it builds mental health literacy, helping the public identify, understand, and appropriately respond to signs of mental illness.

Combating Stress in an Uncertain Ag Landscape
^{Source: The Maschhoffs}

The National Council for Mental Wellbeing states, “Just as CPR training helps a person with no clinical training assist an individual following a heart attack, MHFA training helps a person assist someone experiencing a mental health crisis such as contemplating suicide. In both situations, the goal is to help support an individual until appropriate professional help arrives.”

By providing our employees the opportunity to attend MHFA training, we are equipping them with tools to improve their own self-care and to be better prepared to help others around them at work and in their personal lives and communities.

Tips for Stress Management

Although farming is largely a labor of love, economic uncertainty, unpredictable weather and health challenges can also make for times of stress and worry. Taking care of yourself, your family and your livestock is crucial. Take a moment to review these tips for stress management.

•   Be prepared.
Trouble can come at any moment from any direction. Having a comprehensive crisis management plan will help you stay in front of things.

•   Get a good night’s sleep.
Rest is essential for good health, so prioritize getting 7-8 hours of sleep each night.

•   Build a community.
Reach out to friends, neighbors and family and be candid about your worries. Open lines of communication allow communities to help one another take advantage of each member’s unique set of skills.

•   Take advantage of resources.
o   MHFA training though local University Extension offices
o   Ag State of Mind podcast
o   Farmer Resource Network

Laura Wesselmann is the director of people development & total rewards for The Maschhoffs. Gina Bennett serves as the total rewards manager.