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Counseling Resources for Farmers

Counseling can help with stress, grief, anxiety, depression and family strain. This guide explains how to start looking, with practical tips for rural schedules and budgets.

What if you need help right now?

In the US, you can call or text 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, and in an emergency you should call 911. If you are not in crisis but want to start counseling, the sections below can help you plan.

It is common to feel nervous about a first appointment. Many people say the hardest part was making the call.

Counseling is for ordinary strain as well as serious conditions. You do not have to wait until things are bad to ask for help.

• Call or text 988 for immediate support
• Call 911 in an emergency

Who can help, and what do the titles mean?

Several kinds of professionals provide mental health care, including counselors, social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists. Training and what each can do vary, and some can prescribe medication while others cannot. Rules differ by state.

Your primary care doctor is a good first stop and can talk through options, screen for common conditions and refer you. If you are unsure, ask the clinic or provider's office to explain who they recommend and why.

Ask each provider about their approach and training, and do not be shy about asking how long they have worked with rural or farm clients.

Where can you look in rural areas?

Start with your primary care clinic, community health center or local health department. Many also know about programs that serve farm families and can help with referrals.

Your land-grant university extension office is another starting point. Some states run farm stress programs, helplines or partnerships with counselors who understand agriculture. Check your own state's extension site, as offerings vary and change.

Employee assistance programs, if you or a family member work off the farm, can sometimes offer a limited number of visits at no cost. Ask the employer's human resources office.

How can telehealth make counseling easier?

Video or phone appointments can save hours of driving and fit around chores. Many providers offer them, and some are set up to serve rural clients specifically.

You will need a private spot and a steady connection. If internet is weak, ask whether a phone appointment is possible. Check with a provider about licensing in your state and what they accept for payment.

If you are younger than 18, you can ask a parent, school counselor or doctor to help set up an appointment.

What about cost and insurance?

Cost worries stop many people. Ask a provider's office about fees before you book, and ask whether they offer sliding scale pricing. Community health centers often adjust fees to income.

If you have insurance, call the number on your card to ask which counselors are covered and whether telehealth is included. Employer programs, health departments and some farm organizations can also point to lower cost options. Confirm details directly, because coverage and programs differ.

Keep a short list of questions about cost and coverage next to the phone so you can ask them in one call.

What should you ask a counselor?

It is reasonable to interview a counselor, and you are not locked in after one visit. If the fit is wrong, you can try another.

Writing questions down can help if you feel nervous.

Bring a notebook if it helps, and write down anything you want to remember after the visit.

• Do you have experience with farm or rural clients?
• How do you protect my privacy?
• How often would we meet, and for how long?
• Do you offer evening or telehealth appointments?
• What would we work on first?

How can you get the most from it?

Be honest about what is going on, including sleep, mood, drinking and stress at work. Tell your counselor what a realistic schedule looks like in busy seasons, so you can plan around it.

Give it a few sessions before deciding whether it helps, and speak up if something is not working. Counselors expect questions.

If you feel unsafe at any point, call or text 988 or call 911. A first visit is mostly about getting to know one another, so you do not need to prepare a perfect story.

Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Farm Safety Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.