Empowering Rural Georgia: Mental Health Support and Education for Rural Georgia Farmers

Commodities

Practices

Empowering Resilience: Mental Health Support and Education for Rural Georgia Farmers Project (Empower Project) aims to address the critical mental health needs of farmers in rural Georgia. In a 2022 survey of about 1,650 Georgia farmers, it was discovered that about 29% of those surveyed reported thinking about suicide at least once a month. Almost half of the respondents reported feeling lonely, sad, and/or depressed. Recognizing the unique pressures faced by these communities, including isolation, economic stress, and the unpredictability of agricultural work, this project seeks to reduce mental health stigma and provide essential support through a multifaceted approach. By integrating Community Resiliency Model (CRM) training and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for Fort Valley State University (FSVU) extension agents and local farmers, we aim to foster a supportive and resilient farming community.

To raise awareness and provide practical information the Georgia Agricultural Wellness Alliance (GAWA) website will serve as an information and resource hub. These online resources will be readily available and will provide information to farmers about mental health, its importance, and how to seek help. Topics will include recognizing the signs of mental health issues, understanding the impact of mental well-being on overall health, and identifying local resources for support. By normalizing mental health and equipping farmers with knowledge, these awareness campaign aims to encourage proactive mental health care.

A more active aspect of this project involves the Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center (GRHIC) providing training in Crisis Response Management (CRM) and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to FSVU extension office agents and local farmers on the GAWA advisory board. FSVU extension agents, who frequently interact with farmers, will receive both CRM and MHFA training, while the farmers will receive CRM training only. These trainings will help agents and farmers recognize signs of mental health issues in their peers, provide initial support, and guide individuals to professional resources. By equipping these groups of people with skills to recognize and support farmers who may near or in crisis, the project ensures that knowledgeable and compassionate support is readily available within the community, creating a more informed and responsive support network.

1. Enhance mental health support by providing Community Resiliency Model and Mental Health First Aid training to Fort Valley State University extension agents, expanded food safety/nutrition education and health program (EFNEP) program assistants, and local farmers to equip them with skills to recognize and address mental health issues.
2. Promote diversity, equity, and inclusion to ensure equitable access to mental health resources for all farmers through targeted outreach and culturally competent materials.
3. Build resilient communities by further development of support networks among farm families, agribusinesses, faith leaders, community organizations, policymakers, and healthcare providers.
4. Create a replicable model for integrating mental health support into agricultural communities that can be replicated nationwide to improve the well-being of farmers across the U.S.