Illinois farmer mental health program rebrands as FARM SOS

FOX23 News at 9 p.m

CARBONDALE, Ill., (KBSI) – A statewide program providing mental health support to Illinois farmers and their families has a new name.

The Farm Family Resource Initiative has rebranded as FARM SOS after seven years of providing confidential mental health resources to agricultural communities.

The program began in 2019 as a pilot serving six Illinois counties and has since expanded to all 102 counties. It is a partnership among the SIU School of Medicine, Illinois Department of Agriculture and Illinois Department of Human Services.

According to program officials, the new FARM SOS name is intended to make the service and its purpose easier for farm families to recognize. The rebranding also includes a new logo and website.

“While our name is changing, our commitment to farm families remains the same,” FARM SOS Program Coordinator Karen Stallman said. “FARM SOS clearly communicates that we’re here to provide support, connect people with resources and ensure no farm family has to face a crisis alone.”

Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Jerry Costello II said farmers face an elevated risk of suicide and that stigma surrounding mental health treatment can prevent people in agricultural communities from seeking help.

FARM SOS is available at no cost to Illinois farm families 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The confidential helpline connects farmers and others in the agriculture industry with trained professionals who can provide emotional support and connect callers with additional resources.

The program also offers up to six no-cost telehealth counseling sessions for individuals, couples or groups.

More information about FARM SOS and its services is available at ILFARMSOS.COM.