Being a young farmer in a small town, you're expected to just 'tough it out' when things get hard. But after two bad crop seasons and mounting debt, I was having panic attacks and couldn't sleep. I knew I needed help but was worried about what people would think if they saw me going to a mental health clinic.
When I went to Martin County Health Center for a routine checkup, they mentioned Faith Net. The fact that I could get mental health help right there, during a regular doctor visit, was huge for me. No one had to know I was struggling.
The psychiatric nurse practitioner I spoke with understood the pressures of farming and rural life. She didn't make me feel weak or broken - she helped me see that asking for help actually takes strength. She taught me breathing techniques for the panic attacks and helped me work through my anxiety about the farm's future.
What I appreciated most was that everything was confidential and happened right in the clinic. I didn't have to drive to Bloomington or explain to anyone where I was going. My neighbors just saw me going to my regular doctor.
I'm managing my anxiety better now and have a plan for dealing with stress during planting and harvest seasons. Faith Net helped me get my life back on track without compromising my privacy or reputation in the community.