What should I do if I am in crisis right now?
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide or in emotional crisis, call or text 988 to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, available at any hour. If someone is in immediate danger, call 911. You do not have to explain your whole situation to reach out.
If you are worried about a neighbor, ask directly and listen without trying to solve everything. Staying with someone and helping them connect to a trained counselor can matter more than the right words.
What kind of farm stress support does USDA offer?
USDA has supported farm and ranch stress assistance through grants to land-grant universities and partner organizations, which run hotlines, training and referrals. Farmers.gov collects stress and mental health resources on its site. Because grant networks and websites change, use Farmers.gov and your state extension office to find what is active near you.
Your local FSA office does not provide counseling, but staff can talk through loan and program options and may know local resources.
You can also ask your extension educator who in your area has been trained to talk with farmers about stress, since many educators have taken courses on recognizing warning signs.
Where can I find help close to home?
Extension offices often know of farm counselors, support groups and state hotlines. Many states run farm crisis lines and mental health programs that use people who understand agriculture. Faith communities, county health departments and community health centers also provide counseling, often with sliding fees.
Farm Aid runs a hotline that connects farmers to resources, and you can find its information on its website.
- 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988
- Your state extension office
- State or regional farm crisis lines
- Your doctor, clinic or faith community
How can I get help when money is the stress?
Money worries are among the most common sources of farm stress. FSA can discuss loan servicing options if you are behind on an FSA loan, and your lender may have hardship options too. Extension offices and nonprofit farm advocates offer free financial counseling in many states.
Do not wait until a deadline is close. Early calls give more choices than late ones, and lenders generally prefer to hear from you sooner.
A written list of every debt, payment date and contact can feel heavy to make, but many people say the problem feels smaller once it is on one page.
What can I do for myself day to day?
Small steps matter. Try to keep regular sleep and meals, talk with one person you trust each week, and make a short list of the tasks you can hand to someone else or postpone. Seeing a doctor about persistent low mood, anxiety or sleep problems is a sound step and not a sign of failure.
Break big problems into the next phone call. One call to a counselor, an advisor or a lender is a manageable task.
If getting through the day feels very hard for more than a couple of weeks, call your doctor or a counselor. Depression and anxiety are health conditions, and they are treatable.
How can families and neighbors help?
Notice changes: withdrawal, irritability, less care of animals or equipment, talk of being a burden. Check in privately and ask how the person is doing. Offer a specific help such as a ride, a meal or a few hours of work.
Share a hotline number even if the person says they are fine. It may be used later.
What if I do not know where to start?
Pick the one person you would find easiest to call: a friend, a pastor, a doctor, an extension educator, a neighbor who has been through something hard. Tell them you are having a rough time and ask whether they can help you find the next step. You do not need a plan before you call.
If you prefer to start anonymously, call or text 988. The counselors are trained to listen and to connect you to local resources, and you do not need to be in crisis to use the line.
Tell your family what you are carrying. Many farm families say they hid their worries to protect others, and later learned that everyone had been worried quietly. Talking together can lift some of the weight.
Key takeaways
- Call or text 988 for crisis support at any hour, and call 911 in an emergency.
- Use Farmers.gov and your extension office to find current farm stress programs in your state.
- Reach out early about money problems, since earlier calls give more options.
- Checking in with a neighbor can make a real difference.
Sources and official links
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Money & Grants Editorial Team. Educational only, not tax, legal or financial advice. See our editorial policy.