McKenna Reichling advocates for mental health in farming communities

McKenna Reichling, a healthcare professional and advocate, is working to address mental health stigma within the agricultural community. Following the loss of her brother to suicide, Reichling has focused on promoting the idea that mental health is as vital as physical health, emphasizing that the two are interconnected.

Raised on a fourth-generation family farm, Reichling observed how heavy stress and mental health struggles have become normalized in farming life. To combat this, she founded a chapter of the Farmer Angel Network in Southwest Wisconsin. The organization, which began in South Central Wisconsin in 2018, now collaborates with the DATCP’s Farmer Wellness Program to provide support and advocacy to rural communities across the state.