Meet Mental Health Hero John McElveen
Each week of Mental Health Awareness Month, we will be spotlighting an agricultural hero who’s making a difference in the field of mental health.
This week, we’re featuring John McElveen, the Director of the Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance, housed within the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center at Mercer University School of Medicine.
A native of Stilson in Bulloch County, Georgia, John was raised on a row crop and livestock farm, where he developed a deep appreciation for agriculture that has stayed with him throughout his life. He brings over 30 years of leadership experience in the University System of Georgia, where he focused on student services and enrollment management. His academic journey took him from Middle Georgia College to Auburn University (earning two bachelor’s degrees), the University of Alabama (a master’s degree), and Columbus State University (a doctorate).
During his tenure as Dean of Students at Columbus State University, John helped pioneer a campus-wide care team model dedicated to student well-being, mental health, and safety. He also worked extensively to develop mental health support systems for student military veterans. In 2023, he embraced his roots and stepped into his current role, channeling his experience and passion into supporting Georgia’s farm families through mental health awareness and advocacy.
1. What drew you to focus on the mental health of Georgia's agricultural community?
Having grown up on a row crop and livestock farm in Bulloch County, Georgia, the ag community is, for me, home. The opportunity to give back to that community through helping those outside of ag understand the stress upon our farm families and especially working to help our Georgia farm families and their communities understand there is hope and help is a calling for me.
2. Why is it important to focus on farmers?
The food and fiber that farmers produce are literally our world's lifeblood. Our nation and our world cannot thrive unless our farmers thrive. To help farmers thrive, we have to have honest conversations about their challenges and how we can help them meet those challenges.
3. How can we help people in our community that may be struggling with their mental health?
First, we must help them understand they are not alone when it comes to their struggles and or finding help. We have to normalize the conversation about mental health. We can do that by helping those who are suffering and those who love and care for them understand that mental health is health, and there are care resources to address mental health.
4. If you could only choose one mental health tip or piece of advice to share, what would it be?
You do not have to be a counselor or physician to help someone dealing with mental health issues. By letting them know you are concerned for them and will help them find someone to help them, you could be part of their recovery or even save a life.
5. What is your favorite way to maintain your mental health?
Taking time to enjoy family, friends, my dogs, or working with my hands. I also have learned to pay attention to what my brain and body are telling me about my stress level and when needed, employ some learned techniques to get me back into my "okay zone" so I can move forward and help others.
Thank you, John, for your unwavering dedication to Georgia’s rural communities and your leadership in normalizing mental health conversations. Your work is helping farm families across the state find hope, healing, and connection.