Conferences
FRSAN Regional report - What are the Regional Similarities and Differences When Addressing Agricultural Stress and Suicide Prevention?
Julie Jesmer, Tesha Humphrey, Don McMoran, and Josie Rudolphi
Summary
High suicide rates among agricultural producers and increasing concerns around rural mental health prompted the legislature to increase funding to the Farmer and Rancher Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) in the 2018 Farm Bill. This provision mandated the USDA/NIFA to fund four regional grants to organizations to address these concerns through help lines and websites, training programs and workshops, support groups and outreach services. In this 30-minute panel presentation, leaders from each of the four regions will discuss the different directions each region has taken the FRSAN mandate. Each regional leader will provide a general overview of their programs and how each region has provided different services over the funding period. They will each highlight their region's lessons learned and results of early data collection regarding what farmers are reporting related to agricultural stress in each region. Each regional leader will also highlight their similar and disparate ideology and methodology regarding the dissemination of resources, and training in each region. They will compare and contrast outreach strategies in each region and explore each region's successes.
Attendees at this presentation will come away with an understanding of the uniqueness of agricultural stress and mental wellbeing for farmers and agricultural workers. They will learn how each regional leadership team has addressed the mandate of FRSAN and applied different methodologies to reduce the risks of farmer suicide and the stigma of mental health difficulties in the US agricultural sector.
Presentation Materials
Details
| Conference | 2023 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference |
| Presentation Type | 30 minute concurrent session |