”Farming Under Pressure” is free to attend
A workshop later in the month will tackle mental health and stress issues in the ag community.
Cornell Cooperative Extension in Orleans County is hosting a “Farming Under Pressure” event for farmers, their families, industry members, and the public.
The free event is scheduled for March 19 at the Orleans County Fairgrounds beginning at 8:30 a.m.
“Farming is demanding work. Long hours, financial pressure, isolation, and unpredictable conditions can take a toll,” a Cornell press release says. “This workshop is designed to provide practical guidance in a respectful, stigma free environment and to strengthen support networks within the agricultural community.”
Reps from FarmNet and GOW Pathway to Hope will make presentations during the event.
The farming community has challenges related to mental health and accessing support.
The National Rural Health Association, for example, found that “many in rural communities do not view mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety as an issue to reach out to assistance for, but as a private matter to overcome through self-determination.”
The upcoming workshop will help address this issue.
The scheduled topics for discussion are:
- Common stressors in agriculture and how they impact mental health
- Practical stress management tools participants can use immediately
- Warning signs of suicide risk
- How to start conversations and support someone who may be struggling
- Available local and regional resources for farmers
The event is free to attend, but people interested in participating must register beforehand.
For more information, contact Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension at 585-798-4265, or orleans@cornell.edu.
If you or someone you know require immediate mental health support, call 9-8-8 to reach the national suicide and crisis lifeline.
Farms.com has compiled a list of national mental health resources you can find here.