WARSAW, N.Y. — NY FarmNet is partnering with Cornell Cooperative Extension to bring Mental Health First Aid training to the agricultural community in four locations across the state. This is a chance for field representatives, agricultural professionals, farm neighbors, and agency staff to learn how to start a conversation with someone who seems to be reaching out for help. As this period of low commodity prices has stretched on, those working directly with farmers are also experiencing high levels of stress. Many agricultural service providers may want additional training and information to help their co-workers, neighbors, and farmers they work with.
Mental Health First Aid is a public education program that introduces participants to risk factors and warning signs of mental illness, builds understanding of their impact, and overviews common supports. This 8-hour course uses role-playing and simulations to demonstrate how to offer initial help in a mental health crisis and connect persons to the appropriate professional, peer, social, and self-help care. The program also teaches the common risk factors and warning signs of specific types of illnesses, like anxiety, depression, substance use, bipolar disorder, eating disorders, and schizophrenia.
Trainings are set for:
- January 17 from 8:30 am – 5 pm at the Agriculture and Business Center 36 Center Street in Warsaw. The training cost is $25 per person including lunch and a manual. Register today either on-line at: https://reg.cce.cornell.edu/MentalHealthFirstAidTraining_10508 or by contacting Lisa Aures at Cornell Cooperative Extension, lma96@cornell.edu or 585-786-2251, ext. 123. For questions about the training please reach out to the Wyoming County Mental Health Department at 585-786-8871.
- February 1 from 8:30 – 5 pm at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Madison County Offices in Morrisville. The training cost is $50 per person, which covers materials and lunch. Register online at: https://pub.cce.cornell.edu/event_registration/main/events_landing.cfm?event=mentalhealthfirstaid_225
- February 4 from 8:30 – 5 pm at the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Albany County Offices in Voorheesville in partnership with the Capital Area Agricultural and Horticultural Program. The training cost is $50 per person, which covers materials and lunch. Registration information is forthcoming
- February 28 from 8:30 am – 5 pm at SUNY Potsdam in partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County. Registration information is forthcoming
Contact Kate Downes at kdownes@cornell.edu with any questions regarding the four trainings. Additional information on the trianings is available at: https://www.nyfarmnet.org/
NY FarmNet is based in the Charles H. Dyson School of Applied Economics and Management, and the College of Agriuclture and Life Sciences and the SC Johnson College of Business at Cornell University through a network of personal and financial consultants, NY FarmNet works on the farm with farm families to address business viability, behavioral health, communication, and farm succession planning. Cornell Cooperative Extension puts knowledge to work in pursuit of economic vitality, ecological sustainability and social well-being across New York State.
–NY FarmNet
Cornell Cooperative Extension
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