Farming can be stressful in the best of times. Financial worries, unpredictable weather, plant pests, livestock diseases, and isolation all contribute to farmers' anxiety. University of Maine Cooperative Extension recommends the following resources to help farmers and their families who are under stress.

Resources

Agricultural Producers & Stress – When Do You Need a Counselor?
By Randy Weigel, University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service
Available at University of Wyoming's Web site; search for publication number B-1124.2.

American Association of Suicidology

• If You Are Considering Suicide

• Know the Warning Signs (of Suicide)

• SOS: A Handbook for Survivors of Suicide
  By Jeffery Jackson
  Available at the American Association of Suicidology Web site.

• Understanding and Helping the Suicidal Individual
  Includes warning signs. Available at the American Association of Suicidology Web site.

Good Health Practices for Farm Work
“Extension Excerpts” from UMaine Extension’s publications library

Helping Friends Cope with Financial Crises
Montana State University
Understanding how to reach out to a friend experiencing a financial crisis can help you assist them during their time of need. And being aware of signs of depression can alert you to a friend’s need for professional help. Available at Montana State University's Web site.

Maine Youth Suicide Prevention Program
Department of Health and Human Services, Maine.gov

Managing in Tough Times
eXtension of the National Extension System
Educational materials and resources that focus on helping producers understand their financial situation and options, and to have them comfortable with the decisions they make to address their financial and family situations.

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
Are you are in crisis?

• After an Attempt
  A Guide for Taking Care of Your Family Member After Treatment in the Emergency Room

• What If Someone I Know Needs Help?

• What Are The Warning Signs For Suicide?
  Includes the brochure "What To Do If You Think a Person Is Having Suicidal Thoughts"

Recognizing Farmer Stress, Anger, Depression and Suicide – Thinking and Knowing What to Do Next, a recorded webinar with Dr. Robert Fetsch, Extension Specialist and Professor of Human Development and Family Studies at Colorado State University. Presented by UMaine Extension.

Suicide Prevention
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
General information, scientific information, and featured resources.

The Human Side of Agriculture: Managing Tough Times
Colorado State University

• Farm and Ranch Family Stress and Depression: A Checklist and Guide for Making Referrals [Word]
  By Roger T. Williams and Robert J. Fetsch

• Recognize the Signs of Stress, Depression
  By Megan Pierce, published in Dairy Herd Magazine, May 2009
  Basic information on the signs of stress, depression, and tips of what to do about them. Available at The Human Side of Agriculture: Managing Tough Times Web site.

• Recognizing Stress, Anger, Depression and Suicidal Thinking and Knowing What To Do Next
  By Robert Fetsch
  A five page paper written as part of conference proceedings. Available at The Human Side of Agriculture: Managing Tough Times Web site.

The Personal Nature of Agriculture – Men Seeking Help
By Randy Weigel, University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service
Explores how men’s upbringing makes seeking help a challenge, the social and family barriers to seeking help and the characteristics of helping professionals who work well with men reluctant to seek help and what men can do to help themselves. Available at University of Wyoming's Web site; search for publication number B-1134.