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Category: Mental Health
Categories:Farmers Union Members Celebrate Medicaid Expansion
Following the Nov. 8 vote, South Dakota Farmers Union members join with the majority of South Dakotans in celebrating the passage of Amendment D. “Medicaid expansion keeps our tax dollars in South Dakota and it will help farm and ranch families access healthcare,” said Doug Sombke, President of South Dakota Farmers Union. “Our rural communities […]
Read MoreFFA Member Helps Farm Community Start Mental Health Conversation
By Lura Roti for SDFU Worry. Stress. Anxiety. Depression. These feelings are not isolated to adults. Teens understand them too, explains McCook Central FFA member Kayle Lauck. “I understand what it is like to be anxious or sick to my stomach because I’m worried about something. It’s on a different scale than what farmers have […]
Read MoreSelf-Care for Farmers, Communication & Finding Balance Discussed During Summer Farmers Union Enterprise Seminar
When it comes to challenges, we all have the opportunity to choose how we will react. This was one of many relevant messages delivered during the Farmers Union Enterprise Couples Leadership Seminar held June 2019 in Wisconsin. “Given the planting season we just came off of, it is good to be mindful of that fact […]
Read MoreHow to Help Your Friends & Loved Ones When Challenges Impact Mental Health?
It’s no secret that markets are down … for the third consecutive year in a row. And, the weather is less than cooperative. So, what do you do when financial stress or other factors out of our control catches up to a friend, loved one or you? South Dakota Farmers Union reached out to experts […]
Read MoreFarmers Don’t Have to Suffer or Lose Sleep – Ask Professionals for Help
By Lura Roti for S.D. Farmers Union If a friend or loved one has diabetes or high blood pressure and their current diet or medications aren’t working, you wouldn’t tell them to “pull themselves up by their bootstraps and get over it.” More than likely, you’d suggest they meet with their doctor. The same thoughtfulness […]
Read MoreSuicide Among Rural South Dakotans is a Serious Issue
Tell someone. Ask questions. With tough economic times and challenging weather, farmers and ranchers do not have control over many daily stressors. So, Bjornestad encouraged agriculture producers to make time for self-care. “Don’t isolate yourselves. Work to get more social interaction and peer support from other producers who understand,” she says. Some symptoms Bjornestad said […]
Read MoreAn Empty Chair is Difficult to Visit With
By Doug Sombke, SDFU President, September 27, 2018When I saw Representative Noem represented by an empty chair during the South Dakota Association of Healthcare Organizations Candidate Forum last Friday, it didn’t surprise me.In my experience, Kristi Noem does not show up.Let me explain.Agriculture is our state’s number one industry, and yet, when she held a […]
Read MoreWhat To Do When Times Are Tough: A Serious Look At Farm Income
April 25, 2016 – By #South Dakota Farmer UnionTo be honest, I don’t really know how to start this post. So, I guess I will just come right out and say it. Times are tough and only getting tougher for farm income. This is by no means a pleasant topic, but one that needs to be discussed. Recently […]
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