Just in time for Mental Health Awareness Month, the American Farm Bureau Federation’s Farm State of Mind Campaign is making new resources available for members nationwide who are motivated to help raise awareness of mental health in the farm community — and break down the barriers to proper care.
The premise of the Small Gestures, Big Impact initiative is that support from friends and neighbors is a powerful tool for coping with stress and anxiety, and preventing mental health mismanagement, from substance abuse to suicide.
Anyone can take action to boost mental health awareness by just reaching out to a fellow farmer, friend or neighbor with one small act of kindness each week of May. Small Gestures, Big Impact suggests these easy actions:
Week of May 1: Send a text
Week of May 8: Give a card
Week of May 15: Take a ride
Week of May 22: Deliver a treat
Week of May 29: Make a call
All members of the Farm Bureau family are encouraged to add these simple actions to their calendars and consider ways to engage and encourage other members to participate.
Photos of members engaged in these actions are great for online promotion and social media. Tag @farmbureau to encourage others to make small gestures of their own!
View or download AFBF’s Small Gestures, Big Impact toolkit here, and consider adding it to upcoming meeting agendas and outreach plans. Let’s get as many people as possible doing small gestures to create a big impact for Mental Health Month!
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