Jimmy Boschma, an accomplished farmer who built a hay and trucking company, struggled with depression for years after his dad and brother died. His wife, Riley, knew it and tried to help him find therapy, treatment and peace as they raised their five children in Riverside, California. He died by suicide at age 37.
“Our family understands the struggles that so many in agriculture face, and we want Jimmy’s story to raise awareness and be a beacon of hope, encouraging others to seek help when they need it. Asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness – it does not define who you are, but rather shows your courage to keep going,” Riley Boschma told Farm Foundation.
Unfortunately, Jimmy is not alone. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that agriculture remains one of the highest risk industries for suicide. Many of us have been touched by this problem in our businesses, and some have been devastated by the loss of family members and friends.
The hidden costs of farming
Changing economics can surface the fear that haunts many farmers: losing the farm that has been in the family for generations. There was a significant rise in Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings from farms in 2024. In fact, the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) reported that 216 farm bankruptcies were filed last year, 55% more than 2023. Increasingly, agricultural families and communities are struggling, contributing to higher rates of suicide among farmers.
Studies haves also shown – to no one’s surprise – that farmer stress increases when animals or crops are diseased. Couple mastitis, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and calf sickness with the market fluctuations of the dairy business – and high stress is very normal.
These reports signal why Mental Health Awareness Month is a great time for all of us to do a quick check-in. Just as you look over groups of cows for problem areas, you need to evaluate your own stress levels. Chronic stress can wreak havoc on your health, from shrinking your brain to increasing your risk of cancer to impacting future generations.
I’ve covered ways to overcome chronic stress in past articles. Exercising – intentionally, not just walking feedbunks – drops cortisol, and you need to exercise three times weekly for a minimum of 20 minutes. The next time you’re looking at herd nutrition, consider that your own total mixed ration (TMR) likely needs more fiber and greens to help your brain better process stress. Getting more than seven hours of sleep per night is also essential for better decision-making and your physical health – talk to your doctor if you’re not sleeping.
Social interactions are also on the list of ways to beat chronic stress. Your social network helps provide space, perspective and emotional support. You can’t do it alone, despite your need to be independent or that you may have been raised to pull yourself up by your bootstraps. Humans need humans, just as cows need cows.
Togetherall offers anonymity and help
Worried about gossip if you disclose your problems in your hometown? Not interested in having your truck be seen at the local therapist’s office? There’s an anonymous and free new tool for you.
Togetherall is a global network of peers, backed by licensed clinicians and designed to provide a nationwide safety net of confidential and on-demand support to farmers, ranchers and their families. Simply put for older generations, it’s akin to AOL chatrooms – but safe. Through an anonymous profile on the platform, you can access a global network of agriculture peers. Members around the world are there to listen, support and give members’ mental well-being a boost. Farm family members 16 and older can access the service for free. Topics discussed include anxiety, depression, financial health, improving sleep, loneliness, relationships, stress and more. Learn more here.
The Farm Family Wellness Alliance believes this is the best resource to build farm family wellness. The alliance built this by connecting the platform software with additional support services through a partnership with Personal Assistance Services. In short, they are people who understand rural lifestyles.
The Farm Foundation came together in 2024 with AFBF, Farm Credit, CoBank, Iowa Farm Bureau, CHS Inc., Land O’Lakes, National Farmers Union, 4-H, FFA, Agriculture Future of America, The Native American Agriculture Fund, Farm Rescue, National Corn Growers Association and Ace Pumps Corporation to create Farm Family Alliance Partners and offer the platform to those in agriculture.
Tim Brennan from the Farm Foundation reported that they’ve had about 16,000 interactions from 47 states since January 2024. Of those:
- 61% were men between the ages of 45-70
- 63% were not connected to any formal mental health help
- 17% considered suicide
- 80% who used Togetherall found the community helpful
- 19% had interactions with clinicians
- 17% were from underserved communities
- Night and late night were the highest use times
“Eighty percent of our users find the solution that they needed just by talking to each other,” Brennan says.
Perhaps the best testament is that they’ve saved three people from suicide (that they know of).
Unfortunately, Jimmy was not one of those. But his widow, Riley, believes in the Farm Family Wellness Alliance enough that she raised a significant gift to support their efforts in memory of her husband.
“Through this gift, we hope to ensure that farm families have access to the mental health support they need and to reduce the stigma that prevents many from seeking help,” Riley Boschma says.
It’s a reminder that your role as a human is much bigger than your work. You are more than your farm or business.
Are you a Canadian looking for an online community? Be sure to check out the Do More Ag Foundation. Cofounded by my friend and farmer, Lesley Kelley, Do More is a not-for-profit that has focused on farmer mental health since 2017. In 2023, they partnered with Togetherall to offer AgTalk, the same free peer-to-peer support platform mentioned above. They’re also active on social media, offering regular mental wellness tips – follow @DoMoreAg.
Will you take action?
The resources are available to help you – and your loved ones – manage the stress of the dairy business. Are you willing to make this the month that you prioritize your own health and take action?
