Filmmaker Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian was inspired to make Greener Pastures after hearing a report on NPR’s All Things Considered that farmers had the highest rate of suicide by any profession, by more than 30 percent. Thus began his five-year, 60,000-mile journey to find farmers in the Midwest willing to share intimate details of their often-challenging daily lives and to follow their stories.
Two of those farmers have a lot to say about mental health and coping:
Jeff, a corn and soybean farmer in Monroe, Wisconsin, tried to end his own life nearly 27 years ago by setting a building on fire while he was still inside. Today, he runs a farmer mental health nonprofit called T.U.G.S. (Talking, Understanding, Growing, Supporting), traveling across the Midwest to talk to farmers about mental health, suicide prevention, and the stigma associated with depression. Minnesota farmer Juliette, once a frequent dairy show competitor, has battled alcoholism but has steadily worked to regain control over her life. She finds happiness and solace among her beloved dairy cows, like Pebbles and Cabernet (she gets the cow names from either “baby books, intuition, or friends on social media”).
As Juliette puts it, “Farming is where I feel at peace.”
Together they talked to us about what they learned through their own struggles with mental health, and how it can inform and inspire other distressed Midwestern farmers.
Do Midwest farmers talk about their mental health?
Juliette: Not as much as we should be. Mental health is a taboo subject. Showing any negative emotion is considered a weakness. We have come a long way with mental health, but it needs to be discussed much more than it is.
Jeff: No. We’re a stoic group, [although] I feel the tides may be shifting.
For farmers who struggle with depression, stress, and anxiety, what else can help?
Juliette: Anonymous ag [agriculture] stress hotlines nationwide would be a huge help. Missouri already has one, but I wish they’d be everywhere. Ideally an easy-to-remember 3-digit number, such as 911, but for those in the ag field.
We need someone who really understands us, not some suicide hotline person in a city. We need someone who will listen without judgment [rather] than offer resources. Ideally, it would be where the caller remains unknown unless self-harm was imminent.
“We need someone who really understands us, not some suicide hotline person in a city.”
Jeff, you got involved in community theater as one outlet to boost your mental health. How can someone in a rural community get into something like that?
Jeff: Audition. [But] you don’t have to be on stage. You can help build sets and other tasks as well. Find a local school that may need help or check with neighboring towns. Being involved in theater absolutely helped [my mental health]. You get to be inside a “character,” act differently. It’s awesome.
How did you first start realizing you’d found an outlet that helped your mental health?
Juliette: I realized I no longer needed psych meds to stabilize me. I vowed I would never go back to the dark times, and began to develop healthy habits that helped me deal with stress. When those habits became a part of my life, and for once I was HAPPY, I knew I had changed for good.
What advice would you give to farmers struggling with depression, addiction, and other mental health issues, especially if their farm situation is a struggle, too?
Juliette: Talk about it. Find a friend or a professional you can trust. For me, developing a close relationship with God was a game changer. Develop a reason for living that goes beyond ag. Help others as much as possible. Channel some of your energy outwards into being a positive light for others. Always remember who would hurt if you committed suicide. The ripple effect is tremendous.
Would you say you have a larger support network now? Is there peer counseling/support for farmers in the Midwest?
Juliette: I have a wonderful group of friends now. Real friends who don’t judge. It remains hard to find an actual mental health professional who understands ag.
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Read More:
WTTW Chicago Playlist: “A New Documentary Digs into the Mental Health Struggles of Farmers”
PBS NewsHour: “How communities are tackling a suicide crisis among farmers”
Greener Pastures discusses suicide and suicidal feelings. If you’re thinking about suicide, are worried about a friend or loved one, or would like emotional support, the 988 Lifeline network is available 24/7 across the United States.
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