May is Mental Health Month, and the Food For All team is highlighting the strong link between food and mental health.
Food insecurity affects both body and mind. The stress of not knowing where your next meal will come from can lead to anxiety, depression, psychological distress, and feelings of shame. Poor nutrition can further worsen mental health, creating a difficult cycle that’s hard to escape.
Those who grow and harvest our food are especially vulnerable. Farmers already experience higher rates of stress, depression, and anxiety than the general population. These pressures are made worse by rising costs, shifting trade policies, political uncertainty, and a lack of access to mental health services in rural areas. Many feel a relentless burden to stay productive and profitable.
Migrant workers face additional challenges. Many struggle to access health care due to legal, cultural, and language barriers. Exploitation, unsafe working conditions, isolation, family separation, and the stress of adapting to a new country all take a toll on their mental health.
Now is the time to listen, learn, and consider how we can support mental health across our food systems. | 
