Openness to Mental Health Information and Barriers to Accessing Care Among Midwestern Farmers

TL;DR

Midwestern farmers face mental health care barriers that vary by demographics and attitudes, requiring tailored outreach to improve access and reduce stigma.

Contribution

This study identifies demographic and attitudinal factors influencing openness to mental health information and barriers to care among Midwestern farmers.

Findings

74.1% of farmers were open to receiving mental health information, but 27.8% were unwilling to seek it.

Women, younger producers, veterans, and those with mental health symptoms showed distinct openness and barrier patterns.

Trusted sources like medical providers and family members were preferred, while agricultural retailers were least favored.

Abstract

Public health relevance—How does this work relate to a public health issue?
Midwestern farmers face significant barriers to mental health care, which vary by demographic and attitudinal factors.

Midwestern farmers face significant barriers to mental health care, which vary by demographic and attitudinal factors.

Public health significance—Why is this work of significance to public health?
Understanding which populations are least open to mental health information helps prioritize outreach to those at greatest risk of unmet needs.

Understanding which populations are least open to mental health information helps prioritize outreach to those at greatest risk of unmet needs.

Public health implications—What are the key implications or messages for practitioners, policy makers and/or researchers in public health?
Public health education and health promotion efforts should be tailored to encourage openness to information and help-seeking.

Public health education and health promotion efforts should be tailored to encourage openness to information and help-seeking.

Agricultural producers experience elevated stress, limited mental health access, and cultural norms that can discourage help-seeking. This study examined farmers’ preferences for receiving mental health information and the barriers that impede care. Data came from a regional needs assessment of 1024 producers across 12 Midwestern states who completed online or paper surveys, including questions on willingness to seek or receive information and the 30-item Barriers to Access to Care Evaluation. Analyses included descriptive, bivariate, and multivariate methods to explore demographic and behavioral predictors. Results indicated that while 74.1% were open to receiving mental health information, notable proportions were unwilling to seek (27.8%) or receive (28.4%) it, and 18.7% were unwilling to do either. Preferred sources were medical providers, mental health professionals, and family members, with agricultural retailers least favored. Women, younger producers, veterans, those with mental health symptoms, and individuals with higher education, anxiety, or depression showed distinct patterns of openness and barrier endorsement. Attitudinal barriers were the most common across groups. Findings highlight the importance of culturally relevant approaches that leverage trusted messengers, reduce stigma, and tailor interventions to specific subgroups to strengthen mental health outreach in agricultural communities.

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