Fathers and sons typically share similarities. Whether it’s their appearance, the way they speak, distinct mannerisms or decisions that mirror the other, the saying, “Like father, like son” often holds true.

INSPIRED BY HIS OWN FAMILY’S RESILIENCE

Will Stutterheim is like his father in the way they both seem to never give up on a dream. Growing up on a farm in Phillips County, Stutterheim saw his dad innovate and adapt.

“My dad would experiment with different crops and animals, like most farmers,” Stutterheim says. “Some things worked, some things didn’t, but he was always trying new things.”

Stutterheim saw first-hand the stress living a rural life can bring. When Will was young, he witnessed the extreme stress his parents were living when they lost their farm in the recession.

“I was in third grade when some cops showed up at our door on Christmas eve,” Stutterheim remembers. “They were there to serve papers to my dad that we were getting evicted from our home and the farm.”

The farm crisis of the ’80s caused a lot of farm families to experience what Stutterheim did. Interest rates around 20 percent meant farm families across the U.S. struggled to make land payments and were forced to sell livestock or their land.

Although Stutterheim was only in the third grade, he could see the emotional impacts this experience had on his parents.

“I didn’t know exactly what it was, but I knew it was a different feeling,” he says of the emotional toll he saw. “I didn’t understand stress in agriculture, but I think to this day, that experience was what motivated me to become interested in psychology, to pursue an education in psychology and what drove me to ultimately become a therapist.”

A MISSION TO TACKLE MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA IN AGRICULTURE

Stutterheim attended Fort Hays State University and received a bachelor's and master’s degree in psychology. He had classes in the same building his office is now – a full-circle experience in his life.

“Fort Hays checked all the boxes for me,” Stutterheim says of when he was deciding on his education. “This building is the same one I was in as an undergraduate, so I got to know the professors really well. They encouraged me to continue to graduate school, so I did. I also met my wife at Fort Hays, so this place is near and dear to me in a lot of ways.”

After graduate school, Stutterheim started his career as a therapist in Phillipsburg, which is where he saw the prevalence of mental health needs for farmers and ranchers.

“I had so many different people in agriculture coming in,” he says. “You could see the stress these farmers were experiencing, and around that time, we had an extremely significant drought that hit that area. I realized then that I needed to start doing more.”

Stutterheim knew his office wasn’t going to be where he’d reach rural Kansans. He started giving more presentations to groups about mental health. Initially, attendance was small.

“I tried to get people to my presentations by providing free coffee and donuts,” Stutterheim jokes. “I had four people show up to my very first presentation on mental health and agriculture.”

Some people would have given up after a showing like that. But for Stutterheim, he knew the implications of stigma surrounding mental health, especially in the profession of farming and ranching. As resilient as his dad was when he got the farm back, Stutterheim adapted and continued his mission.

He tried different organizations, different messaging and different venues to reach his intended audience. Pivoting his approach has proven to be the best route forward.

“The stigma is there,” he says. “Sometimes, even just mentioning the words ‘mental health’ can drive people away. I started leaning more into messaging on stress management and wellness. Ultimately, we want to improve our stress and wellness before it becomes a bigger mental health issue. I am all about being proactive rather than reactive. After 20 years as a therapist, crafting the message that way has resonated more effectively.”

“Will has provided impactful presentations to engage agriculture audiences and address critical topics like stress management and mental health,” Stephanie Eckroat, the Ellis County Farm Bureau coordinator who has seen Stutterheim’s impact in Kansas, says. “He has worked to provide valuable skills to educators, those involved in succession planning and many other areas of mental health in agriculture. He has collaborated with many agencies to assist others in providing the best information to members of their community and is personally committed to helping manage mental health issues in areas of Kansas where it is needed the most.”

Today, Stutterheim is an instructor and undergraduate apprenticeship coordinator at Fort Hays State University where he teaches several classes in psychology. He also continues to be an advocate for agriculture in mental health.

That initial presentation Stutterheim gave where he had four attendees has grown to presenting in front of large crowds upwards of 300 people. His message, experience in agriculture and empathy have carried him to help reduce stigma in mental health access across the state of Kansas.

MANAGING FARM LIFE STRESS WITH BALANCE AND AWARENESS

Stutterheim’s dad eventually was able to get the farm back and his mom still lives there today.

“My dad passed away 12 years ago, which changed a lot of things not only for me but also for the family farm,” Stutterheim says. “Fortunately, my mom has great people to rent her land, and I still go back to help her and to get some mental health time for myself.”

Stutterheim knows the importance of taking care of one’s mental health and practices what he preaches. His best method of monitoring his stress level is to evaluate where he is and as he puts it, watching himself like a hawk.

“If you get blocked, take a walk,” he says. “Leave your cell phone behind if it’s safe to do so, and just get outside and take a 10-minute walk. If you're feeling like you’re getting frustrated, if you feel like you're running your head into a problem you can't solve at that time, if your stress is getting up there, there’s scientific evidence in psychology that there are real benefits to just taking a short walk.”

Stutterheim takes walks on the Fort Hays campus, but also enjoys running a chainsaw at his family farm to clear his head.

“Safely wielding the chainsaw, of course,” Stutterheim clarifies.

KANSAS FARM BUREAU HONORS MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY

Kansas Farm Bureau understands the unique needs of rural Kansans. Through the years, the organization has stepped up its efforts to share resources, reduce stigma and improve access to mental health care. What began as a webpage at www.kfb.org/ruralmindsmatter has evolved into grassroots efforts initiated by farmer and rancher members to advocate for rural mental health.

In 2024, members saw an opportunity to feature inspiring individuals making incredible impacts in their communities in mental health advocacy. In 2023, Kansas ranked last in mental health, highlighting the urgent need for change. The Rural Minds Matter Advocate of the Year Award aims to celebrate the work that cultivates resilience and well-being among farmers, ranchers and rural communities.

A cohort of judges voted to award Stutterheim with the inaugural award.

“Will’s accomplishments speak for themselves,” Eckroat says. “He has been committed to serving the rural community and speaks of his own experiences with stress in association with his family farming. As an instructor at Fort Hays State University, he’s been an outstanding mentor to many young people, which will have positive impacts on mental health in rural Kansas.”

“I’m humbled,” Stutterheim says of winning the award. “The work I’ve been able to do and what I’ve been able to put in for the people who work tirelessly to go out and farm day in and day out, who help those people who run the local co-ops and everything else that goes into making agriculture work, I’m so appreciative.”

Just like his dad, Stutterheim is always innovating and trying new things. For farmers and ranchers struggling with mental health, trying new things just might lead to a saved life. That’s worth starting with four people in the room and not giving up.

To learn more about Kansas Farm Bureau’s Rural Minds Matter Advocate of the Year program, visit www.kfb.org/ruralmindsmatter. Applications and nominations for the 2025 award will open in May 2025 to honor Mental Health Month.

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