Care • Hope • Heal
Stress in farming, ranching, and the ag industry is something we all need to talk about.
Farming is stressful, and we all know it. The NDSU Extension family understands this, which is why they are offering webinars that address the wellness needs of farmers and others in the ag business. They are offering webinars addressing the wellness needs of farmers and others in the ag business.
If you are interested in attending, we urge you to register early. Visit ndsu.ag/qpraugust for the August webinar and ndsu.ag/qprsept for the September webinar.
Each webinar, which addresses the concerns of high stress levels and the toll on mental and emotional well-being, consists of a 90-minute training course and conversation related to suicide prevention.
Research indicates the suicide rate is significantly higher for those working in agriculture. The QPR training will provide participants with skills to recognize warning signs of a mental health crisis or suicidal thinking and to respond in an appropriate and supportive way.
“Ongoing farm and ranch stress affects health, including mental and emotional well-being,” says Sean Brotherson, NDSU Extension family science specialist. “We say, ‘Sometimes you need help; sometimes you are help.’”
The QPR webinars will be facilitated by NDSU Extension agents, Katie Henry (Cavalier County) and Jill Sokness (Cass County), and Madeleine Smith, NDSU Extension pesticide specialist.
The webinars will include training and a question-and-answer session. Although the training will focus on people in and around agriculture, anyone interested in the topic can register.
There is no cost to attend the training. A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture supports it. Attendance is limited to the first 30 registrants.
