Catholic Charities expands telehealth during harvest

Beginning Sept. 14 and continuing through November, Catholic Charities will offer expanded telehealth appointment hours, including early morning, evening and limited weekend availability. The expanded hours are part of Strong Minds, Strong Farms, a new rural mental health initiative made possible in part through a Working Here Grant from Farm Credit Services of America.

As farmers head into the long days and added pressures of harvest, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Sioux City is making it easier for farmers and their families to access professional mental health and substance use disorder services when their schedules allow.

Beginning Sept. 14 and continuing through November, Catholic Charities will offer expanded telehealth appointment hours, including early morning, evening and limited weekend availability. The expanded hours are part of Strong Minds, Strong Farms, a new rural mental health initiative made possible in part through a Working Here Grant from Farm Credit Services of America.

“Farm families often face unique pressures related to weather, markets, finances, long workdays and the responsibility of keeping an operation running,” said Amy Bloch, LISW, executive eirector of Catholic Charities. “During harvest, a traditional appointment during the workday may simply not be realistic. By expanding our telehealth hours, we want farmers and their families to know professional support can work around their schedules.

The agency’s licensed mental health and substance use disorder professionals provide confidential care for individuals and families and have specialized training and resources focused on the unique stressors experienced by farmers and rural families.

Through telehealth, clients can receive professional support from a private location without the additional time and travel required for an in-person appointment. Services include mental health counseling and outpatient substance use disorder treatment.

Strong Minds, Strong Farms also seeks to reduce the stigma that can prevent people in rural communities from reaching out when they are struggling. The initiative will provide practical mental health resources for farmers and farm families and equip trusted community partners with information to help recognize concerns and connect people with professional support. 

“Seeking help is a sign of strength,” Bloch said. “Farmers spend their lives taking care of their families, their livestock, their land and their operations. We want to remind them taking care of their own mental health matters, too.”
Catholic Charities serves people of all faiths and backgrounds throughout Northwest Iowa and Siouxland. A sliding-fee scale helps make care affordable, and no one is turned away because of an inability to pay.

Farmers and family members interested in the expanded telehealth hours may call (712) 252-4547, or any of the office locations.  They can also email [email protected] or complete the contact form at cathchar.com. When contacting Catholic Charities, mention you are part of a farm family to learn about available extended-hour appointments.
 
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