Registration now open for mental health workshops

January 31, 2019

QUEENSTOWN — Registration is now open for the Maryland Association of Soil Conservation Districts Mental Health Workshops.

Funded by the Rural Maryland Council and the Franklin P. and Arthur W. Perdue Foundation, the purpose of these workshops is to bring awareness to mental health in rural areas, a news release states.

While not often talked about in the industry, farmers have one of the highest suicide rates of any job in the U.S., according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Farmers are also among the highest risk professions for drug abuse and alcoholism, the release states.

MASCD, in partnership with the University of Maryland Extension, is hoping to make a change in that trend within the state of Maryland. Through these workshops, individuals working in the field with farmers on a daily basis will receive training to detect early warning signs and prevention methods for severe mental stress and substance abuse, the release states.

These workshops will be targeted towards, but not limited to, agribusiness professionals, crop consultants, extension agents, farm bureau leaders, nutrient management planners, agricultural lenders, and soil conservation district employees. Farmers and farm families also are welcomed and encouraged to attend.

The workshops will be held at four locations around the state; including one at Chesapeake College on March 5, Harford County Public Library in Bel Air library on March 6, Frederick Community College on March 7 and the Charles Soil Conservation District on March 8.

To register for the workshops, visit mascdmentalhealth.eventbrite.com or contact Danielle Bauer, 443-262-8491 or Danielle.mdag@gmail.com.

If you or anyone you know is struggling with mental stress, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

View the original article here.