Submitted by Brandy Brabham, WVU Roane County Extension Agent, Ag & Natural Resources, 304-927-0975
As part of West Virginia University Extension’s broader initiative to address the growingrural mental health and farm stress crisis, they are offering a series of dinner meetings across West Virginia. The local WVU Extension office in Roane County will be hosting a meeting on Wednesday, February 22, 2023 at 6:30 PM at the Roane County Library in Spencer, WV.
Farm families are used to physical labor and working long hours. Farm debt, weather, rising expenses, and animal health concerns add to mental stress that can contribute to chronic illness and depression. The last decade has been particularly difficult on farmers with increasing pressures resulting in high levels of stress, mental health issues, and suicide. Extension and other organizations are working to find solutions when families are struggling including financial management, grazing and production strategies and crop risk protection.
This meeting will provide participants with a gatekeeper training known as “QPR,” which stands for question, persuade, and refer. It will prepare participants to both recognize and respond to signs of stress and suicide as well as teach others to do the same. According to local WVU Extension Agent, Brandy Brabham, “This meeting is meant to empower participants, regardless of their background or professional training, to make a positive difference in the life of someone they know.” Brabham says, “Many folks never know when it might be theirneighbor or family member struggling; and this training could provide the information and resources you need to recognize it and get them help.” Brabham continues, “Many people are embarrassed to talk about mental health or don’t know how. By training local participantsto build a meaningful, community-based response to this crisis, we can help break down the stigma and make it easier for farmers to ask for help when they need it most.”
Some of the stressors farmers face are pretty unique. They aren’t just dealing with financial anxiety – they often also have the burden of several generations of family legacy. This training tailors mental health outreach to the concerns and experiences of family farmers to ensure that those efforts are really relevant and effective. Join WVU Extension in this educational opportunity by pre-registering before 4 PM on Monday, February 20, 2023 at the local office located in the lower level of the Roane County Library or contact them by phone at 304-927-0975 or email at roanecountyextension@mail.wvu.edu.
