COMMODITY CLASSIC PRESENTS FOCUS ON MENTAL HEALTH IN RURAL AMERICA

Posted By: i3gradiopushbin
February 25, 2021 @ 1:54 pm
Ag Central News

(NAFB) – Farmers are among the most likely to die by suicide, compared with other occupations, according to a January 2020 study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The study also found that suicide rates overall had increased by 40 percent in less than two decades.

It’s important to continue to have conversations about this issue—and Commodity Classic, the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused ag and educational experience, has produced a program that is certain to be a conversation-starter across rural America.

Mental health practitioner Ted Matthews, part of the special program called Mental Health on the Farm, says stress is normal for farmers.

Mental Health on the Farm is an audio program presented by Commodity Classic in partnership with the National Association of Farm Broadcasting. The effort is in-conjunction with another program on farm stress and mental health during the 2021 digital edition of Commodity Classic presented online Friday, March 5 at 8:00 a.m. Central. Matthews says it’s important that the conversation focuses on improving mental health.

Kansas farmer Lowell Neitzel says mental health is a very important topic after watching his father suffer for years with depression, dealing with depression and anxiety himself, and seeing fellow farmers struggling as well.

Adrienne DeSutter is part of her husband’s fourth-generation corn and soybean farm family and holds a Master’s degree in Counseling. She says that while the data behind farmer suicides makes heads turn, the community impact is what hits home.

You can listen to “Mental Health on the Farm” at CommodityClassic dot com. And while you’re there, be sure to register for the 2021 Special Edition of Commodity Classic, being delivered digitally direct to your farm March 2-5. The first 5,000 farmers to register can do so at no charge; all others can register for the entire week’s online program for just $20. There are more than 50 educational sessions scheduled throughout the week, including Friday’s farm stress and mental health session.