Episode #217 - Ty Koonce (Mental Health Awareness Month - Under the Hat)

okay ty let's shift gears

a little bit talk to me about what let's talk about what we think we're currently getting right and what maybe we're currently getting wrong in the ag industry when it comes to the topic of mental health let's start on a positive note what do you think is we're getting right

Well, I do think the more and more that I do research on mental health in rural areas, I do start to see more and more things along the lines of under the hat, you know, in different states.

So I think we're growing and we're starting to chip away at that stigma.

And so I think that's a good thing.

And every time I've been to Rotary Clubs and Lions Clubs and things of that nature to speak so far and everybody is really impressed and really fired up to to do this.

So so I think that's that's the positive part that we have recognized that this is a problem.

Yeah, I 100% agree with you.

I was going to say the same thing.

And the example I was going to give is, you know, obviously in my career, I go to a lot of extension meetings and producer meetings and industry meetings.

And I'm telling you, 10 years ago, there was never a mental health topic on an agenda anywhere ever.

And now you see it on there pretty frequently.

And so I think, like you said, like that, that's how we break the stigma.

That's how we make a difference as we start talking about it.

I'll share one story.

Michaela Smith and I did a program for a group of producers in Lubbock a couple of years ago.

And it was a group of cotton farmers, all men, all, you know, middle age, all very like stoic face as we're talking about mental health.

Yeah.

And we walked out of the door and I looked at her and I said, I'm not sure anybody got anything we just said.

And we were kind of like, well, you know, it's all right.

Like, I don't know, maybe, you know, maybe it didn't work.

I am not getting you tight in the parking lot before we could get to our cars.

three of those men came out and like one of them physically grabbed me and said, you've got to keep doing what you're doing because what you're doing matters.

Or, you know, I've got a friend who is having a hard time and we need people doing what you're doing.

And so, man, that was just super encouraging to us that even in rooms where you think maybe it's not landing and even in places where you think, gosh, do they think we're crazy? We're making a difference, and I think that's important for everybody to keep in mind.