Item No. 1 of 1

INVESTIGATOR: Roy, N.

PERFORMING INSTITUTION:
AGRISAFE NETWORK, INC.
8342 NICC DR
PEOSTA, IOWA 520689702

SOUTHERN REGION FARM AND RANCH STRESS ASSISTANCE NETWORK

NON-TECHNICAL SUMMARY: Farmers and ranchers who may be of the greatest need of any occupational group are going without crucial mental health services and stress assistance. The AgriSafe Network mobilized partners in the southern region of the United States to form the Southern Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (S-FRSAN). AgriSafe will leverage the strengths of the S-FRSAN to establish a clear blueprint for delivery of stress assistance services tailored to the agricultural population. AgriSafe's Total Farmer Health philosophy will be the basis by which the services are designed. AgriSafe's Total Farmer Health campaign embraces a holistic approach to caring for the agricultural community by focusing not only on the occupational hazards but also individual, social and mental health components that could impact one's health and well-being.S-FRSAN will meet the stated programmatic goals by fulfilling these important objectives:1) Strategically assess innovations in stress assistance especially among diverse agricultural communities.2) Develop a S-FRSAN website and social marketing materials that can be branded and repurposed to direct farmers and ranchers to stress assistance.3) Implement organizational changes that can result in a higher utilization of mental health services and a reduction in barriers to seeking care.4) Identify partners and service providers who have the competency to deliver stress assistance to farmers and ranchers.5) Offer monthly free trainings to rural health professionals and community influencers to increase their competency in caring for the needs faced by farmers and ranchers.6) Complete strategic plan for launch in year II.

OBJECTIVES: Goal: Establish a diverse, regionally-representative network of member organizations.Characterize strength and diversification of networkInvite diverse partners not originally identified during initial applicationEstablish core working group among partnersMaintain consistent communication with partnersMonitor performance of S-FRSANGoal: Develop a clearinghouse of farmer assistance programs in the region inclusive of programs providing professional agricultural behavioral health counseling and referral.Create a regional provider and partner database of those who can provide stress assistanceUtilize the new AgriSafe Learning Management System to make Trainings Widely AvailableIdentify Best Practices and Innovation in Stress Reduction ServicesMaximize Exposure to Free Mediation Services for Ag ProducersComplete SFRSAN WebsiteEnsure that disadvantage and underrepresented Ag producers are impactedGoal: Educate individuals/team in southern region about FRSAN activities and how they can access and use existing resources and programs in their work with agricultural workers and communities under stress.Engage media sources in the promotion of services, training opportunities and resources.Educate at Least 10,000 Ag Producers on Services/ResourcesEnsure that disadvantage and underrepresented Ag Producers are ImpactedAssess and improve available resources for prevention of suicide