GREAT FALLS — The Montana Department of Agriculture unveiled a new program in the summer of 2022 in collaboration with Frontier Psychiatry in Billings to provide free mental health resources targeted at farm families.
The idea for the partnership came from Courtney Kibblewhite, Vice President of the Northern Ag Network.
“My family has been involved in farming and ranching in Montana since 1960 and in Wyoming before that,” Kibblewhite shared. “I have personally struggled with mental health issues, particularly depression. We realized that by having conversations with farmers and ranchers multiple times a day, we can help reduce the stigma around mental health and encourage open discussions about the challenges people face, hopefully enabling individuals to address their own mental health concerns.”
Notably, Montana ranks third in the nation for its suicide rate according to Montana DPHHS. Furthermore, farmers and ranchers are at a higher risk of dying by suicide compared to other professions, and suicide rates have risen by 40% in under two decades, as reported by the CDC.
“Given the isolated and rural nature of the agriculture industry, it presents unique challenges,” Kibblewhite noted.
The industry itself is burdened with challenges such as unfavorable weather conditions, fluctuating market prices, and the added stress of succession planning for agricultural producers.
Two years after the launch of the “Beyond the Weather” initiative, mental health is increasingly being discussed among farm communities across Montana. Kibblewhite mentioned that the program has made significant strides in the state and has even expanded to Wyoming.
“We are now collaborating with the Wyoming Department of Agriculture on messaging campaigns in Wyoming to promote mental health awareness and reduce stigma,” added Kibblewhite. “Resources are available in Wyoming through a different group than Frontier Psychiatry, and individuals can access them by visiting beyondtheweather.com and selecting their respective state.”
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As “Beyond the Weather” continues its mission, the program is seeking legislative funding for the future. However, if funding is not available, Kibblewhite believes that local-level conversations to destigmatize mental health in agriculture will be more impactful than monetary resources.
Kibblewhite emphasized her own struggles with mental health and the challenges of living 40 minutes away from the nearest town. While seeking professional help and medication can be beneficial, having open conversations with healthcare providers is essential.
If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts, dial 988 for a free and anonymous lifeline operated by Voices of Hope in Great Falls for a significant portion of Montana. Trained operators with diverse backgrounds are available to assist individuals in crisis.
For free mental health resources, please visit the Beyond the Weather website.
