September 17-23 was proclaimed Farm Safety and Health Week after the Commissioner of Agriculture, Dr. Ryan Quarles, honored Kentucky farmers on Wednesday. The announcement came during a Farmer’s Appreciation and Awards Day on the Capital Lawn in Frankfort.
Dr. Quarles said he hopes farmers pay more attention to their mental health.
“I do think there is a stigma, unfairly attached to mental health issues in rural America, and so, we want to get rid of that. That’s something that we want to make sure that people are comfortable and okay to say 'Yeah, I might need to check in with a counselor or therapist,' and we’ve got to do a better job of checking in with each other,” Quarles said.
Quarles also said he hopes people appreciate their farmers more.
“Farmers are hard-working folks, and sometimes they don’t get the credit they deserve, and so we’re glad to take a moment just to say thank you, start an inaugural class of awards, but also remind Kentuckians about where their food comes from,” Quarles said.
There are multiple factors that could affect one’s mental well-being, and Quarles said he wants to make sure all factors are considered.
Source: wmky.org
Photo Credit: National Education Center for Agricultural Safety
Categories: Kentucky, General