By Scout Nelson
North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension focuses on supporting mental health in agriculture through its upcoming free webinars on suicide prevention. These webinars are part of the Question, Persuade, refer (QPR) training program designed to help people recognize and respond to mental health risks in rural communities.
Scheduled for August 14 at 1 p.m. and September 17 at 10 a.m., each 90-minute session aims to help participants understand warning signs of mental health crises or suicidal thoughts, especially among those working in farming, ranching, or related industries.
Research shows that suicide rates are higher among people in agriculture due to ongoing work stress and emotional challenges. By offering this training, NDSU Extension hopes to give participants the skills they need to help themselves and others during difficult times.
Sean Brotherson, NDSU Extension family science specialist, emphasizes that mental health support is vital in farming communities.
The webinars will be led by NDSU Extension agents Katie Henry from Cavalier County, Jill Sokness from Cass County, and Madeleine Smith, a pesticide specialist with NDSU Extension. They will guide participants through the QPR training and lead a question-and-answer session afterward.
Although the training focuses on agriculture and related fields, it is open to anyone interested in learning about suicide prevention. The sessions are free, thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, but attendance is limited to the first 30 people who register.
Photo Credit: north-dakota-state-university
Categories: North Dakota, General