Farming Stress and Mental Health Awareness:
Recognizing, Responding, and Accessing Resources

This 2-hour workshop will raise awareness of mental health and stress on farms by discussing the stressors unique to farmers and farm families and how these affect their mental health and well-being. We will identify the barriers farmers face when accessing resources and the methods to facilitate connection to available supports.

We will explore ways to:

• Recognize when a farmer or farm family is under stress.
• Start conversations about emotional well-being.
• Initiate strategies to connect people to support.
• Practice self-care when you are experiencing stress.

De-escalation and active listening skills will be modeled and practiced. The strategies and methods presented are good tools for people who are not mental health professionals. The program will be culturally sensitive and inclusive providing information and resources available to all farmers in the Commonwealth.

There is no cost to participate, and everyone will have an opportunity to ask questions and receive MDAR-developed resources for themselves and others that may benefit. Attending this interactive discussion will help create and maintain an environment that promotes mental health well-being throughout the Massachusetts farming community and its allied partners.

To return to the MDAR website, click here: https://www.mass.gov/service-details/agricultural-community-mental-heal…