Stressors and Mental Health Impacts

Farming and ranching are rewarding yet pose high physical, emotional, and financial demands. Long hours, unpredictable weather, isolation, and economic pressures can build up over time, making stress a constant part of the job.

While it’s easy to focus on physical risks, the mental and emotional toll of agricultural life is just as real and just as important. Stress, anxiety, burnout, and depression are common among farmers and ranchers, often going unspoken and untreated. That’s why every chapter (beyond musculoskeletal injuries) in this pressbook includes mental health considerations and practical solutions.

You’ll find tools and strategies woven into each section. Managing stress, building resilience, and knowing when to seek support are key to long-term health and success. Be sure to reference each chapter’s mental health content, and remember: taking care of yourself is not just part of the job—it’s essential to it.