(NewsDakota.com/NorthDakotaAgConnection.com) – In order to maintain their licenses, physicians must take continuing education courses. Depending on the state, between 12 and 50 hours of ongoing training must be taken each year. By taking the on-demand FarmResponse course, they can earn 3.5 hours by learning about mental healthcare for farmers.

In addition to gaining a basic understanding of the business and culture of farming, physicians enrolled in the course learn about the stress factors, financial risks, relationship issues, schedule demands, health hazards, and other challenges inherent in agricultural work.

The course also addresses the barriers many farmers face when attempting to access healthcare, including mental healthcare, and examines the special challenges faced by minority groups in agriculture.

A chapter on suicide discusses the elevated rate among agricultural populations, identifies risk factors, and instructs how to effectively discuss suicide with farmers. Another chapter includes information on opioid and alcohol addiction.

Finally, physicians will learn how to support farmers and connect them with resources that are specifically designed to provide mental healthcare to ag workers.

The online, on-demand course allows physicians to participate on their own time, from anywhere. It is free for physicians who live in or are licensed to practice in Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Virginia, or Wyoming. Those from other states may take the course for a fee of $150.