Supporting Farmer Mental Health and Wellness
Recognizing, Responding and Accessing Resources

This 2-hour discussion and training is designed for all MDAR staff and partner organizations in Massachusetts interested in supporting healthy and successful farms. The event will raise awareness of mental health and stress on farmers and farm families and how it impacts our work colleagues and the partner organizations supporting Massachusetts farms.

We will explore ways to:

• Recognize when a farmer or farm family is under stress.
• How to 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, professionals, and partner organizations in the Commonwealth.

There is no cost to participate, and everyone will have an opportunity to ask questions and receive MDAR develop resources to facilitate conversation and refer to services. 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…