Suicide Awareness for the Agricultural Community
October 17 @ 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Despite farmers’ foundational role in the food system, agriculture consistently ranks among occupations with very high suicide rates. Farming can be isolating, physically and mentally demanding, and full of potentially devastating uncertainty. Farms are often in rural areas where healthcare access is limited and mental health support nearly nonexistent. It is vital that farmers, community members, mental health professionals, and others know the factors that lead to suicide risk and poor mental health outcomes among farmers, the resources that exist to address this problem, and what individuals can do to support farmer safety and well-being.
During this webinar, Farm First will share significant causes of stress and anxiety in the agricultural community, signs that a person is in trouble, and how to support someone who may be at risk of suicide. We will focus on why this population is especially vulnerable and offer some statistics and examples.
Farm First is known nationally as one of the first and foremost programs to directly address the mental health needs of farmers. We are a public, not-for-profit program jointly sponsored by the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets and the Vermont Agency of Human Services’ Invest EAP Centers for Wellbeing. The program has been written up in the Journal of Agromedicine and we have presented about mental health and farming at both national and international farm safety and health conferences. Farm First partnered with Farm Aid and the National Young Farmers Coalition to obtain the first Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) grant to serve the Northeast region of USDA. Please visit Farmfirst.org.
Objectives:
- Identify protective factors, risk factors, and warning signs of suicide in the agricultural community
- Understand unique challenges and vulnerabilities among the farming population
- List available resources and have access to printed material
- Describe an effective strategy to talk with someone who is at risk of suicide
- Know where to find more information and support
CEUs
One hour pending approval through the Vermont Office of Professional Regulation for:
- Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors
- Allied Mental Health Practitioners
- Social Workers
- Psychological Examiners
About the trainer:
Leanne Porter (Farm First Manager)
Leanne Porter, the Farm First Manager, is a seasoned professional with a wealth of
experience and expertise in training development and delivery. She holds a Master of
Education Degree from Lesley College and was a Doctoral candidate in Education and
Administration at The University of Massachusetts, with thirty-seven post-master’s
credits. Before joining Farm First, Leanne was an Assistant Professor of Education and
Psychology and an Academic Coordinator for the Vermont college system. Her tenure as
a Vermont State Department of Family Services manager spans over twelve years within
various programs. Leanne has received extensive suicide prevention and awareness
training, including the Umatter® Suicide Prevention Awareness Training.
Who Should Attend?
All Professionals and individuals interested in learning more about how to support the Farming community.
