I’ve interviewed some retired farmers — who were farming in the 70s, 80s and 90s. They went to every meeting. Served on every board. Volunteered for multiple committees. They weren’t distracted by the advancement of modern technology. They spent time with each other.

Then COVID-19 hit, and we were actually rewarded for isolation. Meet- ings were cancelled. Churches weren’t allowed to assemble. Stores and restaurants closed. The rise in virtual connection came from good intentions — to at least supplement some of the isolation. However, it ended up hurting us in the long run. When the world opened back up again, we no longer felt the need to attend functions or gatherings. We convinced ourselves we didn’t need people as much as we once did.

Agriculture has never been affected to the degree that other communities have when it comes to this concept. But the industry was not immune to the consequences of the pandemic. PCG hosts an advisory group meeting every other Friday. One of these meetings was especially crowded, and one of the guests commented, “These are pre-COVID numbers.”

Fewer and fewer producers show up for events and meetings. Especially the younger generations who have never felt the need for gatherings as the ones who came before them. They’ve got kids in every youth sport known to man or showing animals. And, I’m not knocking that — our younger generations are busy. But with all the busyness can come its own form of isolation. We’re out of practice when it comes to paying attention to those around us who may be hurting. We’re not leaning on the shoulders of others in the trenches with us. We’re leaning on our own. And we’re falling over.

There are some great resources for everyone when it comes to taking care of mental health. Counseling and medica- tion are great options for treating mental health issues. Telemedicine has made huge waves in rural health care availability. If you need a counselor, you can download an app on your phone, pick one and do a session right from the tractor if you want to.

But wouldn’t it mean more if you could talk to someone who knows what you’re going through? Who is living it with you? Sometimes a good vent session is the healthiest thing you can do.

And while we’re being neighborly, let’s look out for each other. Check in with one another if you feel a friend has retreated mentally and/or physically.

Like it or not, suicide is an issue in the farming community. Farmers need to look out for farmers. And when it comes to observation, it’s typically not the “complainers” you need to worry about. It’s the ones who have stopped talking.

The challenges farmers are facing today aren’t new. You can ask older producers and they’ll tell you about the 50s or 80s — have you heard anyone mention 1973 as the best crop year they’ve ever had?

Solomon said it best when he said there is “nothing new under the sun.” These current circumstances have hap- pened before and will happen again in the future. How we react to them is the gamechanger. Will we internalize and assume we’re alone? Or will we share with others and know we’re in it togeth- er? You never know who is listening or who could be positively impacted by your willingness to be vulnerable. It might save someone else, or it could save you.

And if I’ve learned anything in the mental health arena, it’s that vulnerability and emotion are not weakness- es. Sharing your struggles is one of the strongest things you can do.

It’s okay to be frustrated. It’s okay to be angry. It’s okay to feel hopeless. It’s okay to feel defeated. It’s not okay to keep it inside. Because emotions serve a purpose. They’re supposed to bring us together. Let’s share them.