Extension ServiceFor Providers and Professionals
We believe in cultivating rural resilience, now more than ever. Farmers, ranchers and other agriculture workers always face increased stress with things that are out of their control, including weather, disease, pests, prices and interest rates. With the extra economic impacts associated with COVID-19 and the wildfires that ravaged the state, levels of stress are at their highest. We encourage you to learn more about how to support farmers, ranchers, and agriculture workers as they navigate increasing stress levels.
Preventing Farmer Suicide: Collaboration and Communication
A message from the National Action Alliance on suicide prevention
Consider ways to encourage the public to be there for someone who might be struggling or in crisis. Some examples of how someone can #BeThere include:
- Check in with a friend by phone or text message to see how they are doing.
- Invite a friend to meet for coffee or to share a meal together.
- Send a handwritten card to let someone know you are thinking of them.
- Learn the risk factors and warning signs.
- Help connect someone who is struggling to professional care.
- Share the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline which provides 24/7, free, and confidential support. Call or Text 988 or Chat 988lifeline.org.
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Printable brochure that lists the warning signs of stress and suicide, as well as resource contact information for those needing help.
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(en español) Printable brochure that lists the warning signs of stress and suicide, as well as resource contact information for those needing help.
- Oregon Health Authority Suicide Prevention Resources: Suicide is among the leading causes of death in Oregon. Suicide is also a major public health issue nationally. The Oregon Health Authority and partners across Oregon are working to prevent deaths from suicide.
- AgriSafe Network: AgriSafe was formed in 2003 by rural nurses who believed that together they could improve the health and safety of farmers and ranchers.
- Suicide Prevention Resource Center: The Suicide Prevention Resource Center (SPRC) is the only federally supported resource center devoted to advancing the implementation of the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention.
- How to talk to farmers under stress. Farmers who are going through times of extreme stress need our help and support, but it's important to be prepared and know how to talk to them during these difficult times.
- Northwest MHTTC (Mental Health Technology Transfer Center) Network: Provides training and technical assistance in evidence-based practices in SAMHSA's Region 10 (Alaska, Idaho, Oregon & Washington). Our target workforce includes: behavioral health and PCP, school & social service staff, and anyone whose work has the potential to improve behavioral health outcomes for individuals with or at risk of developing serious mental health issues.
- How to start (and continue) a conversation about mental health. You don’t need special training to have an open, authentic conversation about mental health – and often, just talking about it can be the first important step.
- If someone tells you they're thinking about suicide. Learn what to do and how to respond in that situation.
For ongoing, online education:
- QPR Institute (Question, Persuade, Refer): Online suicide prevention training for individuals and professionals, can request in-person training for organization.
- LivingWorks Online and in-person suicide prevention training for individuals and professionals, can request training for organization.
- Rural Resilience Free farm stress training for extension agents to support rural communities and agriculture during this difficult farm economy. Training materials developed by Farm Credit focused on mental health and stress management.
- FarmResponse A 3.5-hour continuing education course developed by national experts from the AgriStress Response Network. AgriSafe’s FarmResponse course provides the full range of competencies necessary to provide appropriate mental healthcare for agricultural producers and their families. This knowledge is critical for a healthcare professional to effectively care for a farmer’s total health.
AgriStress in Oregon Toolkit
The AgriStress Helpline Toolkit provides you with the tools needed to spread the word about this valuable resource. We hope that individuals, organizations and community groups will download the materials in this toolkit and to get the word out about AgriStress in Oregon and that it is OK to ask for help.
It includes: posters, social media images, business cards, fact sheets and more.
