May Lunch & Learn: Stress and Mental Health in the Georgia Agricultural Community

The presentation illuminates data from recent research studies that reveal objectively high levels of stress, mental health issues, and suicidal ideation among the agricultural community in Georgia. Sources of stress particular to the agricultural community, coping mechanisms, and care barriers will be discussed. Organizational and agency efforts, including those by the Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance and its partners, to achieve better stress management and mental health outcomes within the agricultural community will be presented. Information about the free monthly Georgia Healthy Farmer Mindset zoom meeting (https://garuralhealth.link/FarmerMindset) will be provided. 

Participants will:

1. Gain basic understanding of the critical level, sources and mental health impacts of stress within the agricultural community;

2. Be able to better identify and understand the cultural, geographic, time, and financial barriers to effective support and treatment that are particular to agricultural producers and farm families;

3. Gain awareness of organizational and agency-based concerted effort to mitigate barriers and increase…