Did you know that farmers are more likely to die by suicide than the general population?
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and NY FarmNet is hosting a free Talk Saves Lives introduction to suicide prevention webinar 9:00 to 10:30 AM, September 29, online via Zoom. Farmers, agribusiness workers, and anyone who interacts with the agricultural community in New York State is encouraged to attend. Talk Saves Lives provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives.
Talk Saves Lives is AFSP’s standardized, 60 minute plus Q&A education program that provides participants with a clear understanding of this leading cause of death, including the most up-to-date research on suicide prevention, and what they can do in their communities to save lives.
Participants will learn common risk factors and warning signs associated with suicide, and how to keep themselves and others safe. The standard Talk Saves Lives presentation is also available in Spanish.
Topics covered include:
- Scope of the Problem: The latest data on suicide in the U.S. and worldwide
- Research: Information from research on what causes people to consider suicide, as well as health, historical, and environmental factors that put individuals at risk
- Prevention: An understanding of the protective factors that lower suicide risk, and strategies for managing mental health and being proactive about self-care
- What You Can Do: Guidance on warning signs and behaviors to look for, and how to get help for someone in a suicidal crisis
This session will be taught by NY FarmNet family consultants who have experience working with farm families. Jen Schwytzer resides in Livingston County and joined the FarmNet team in 2021, bringing her background in social work and life coaching. She works with farm clients throughout the western part of the state in her role as a family consultant, as well as presenting educational programming to the agricultural community. Becky Wiseman has worked in the agricultural industry on Long Island since 1995 with Farm Bureau, Cornell Cooperative Extension, and most recently NY FarmNet. In her five years with FarmNet, she has supported many farmers as they navigate the unique challenges associated with farming on Long Island.
If your organization is interested in hosting an in person Talk Saves Lives training with our instructors, please contact Amelia Parseghian at ako9@cornell.edu
This free training is made possible by funding from the United States Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food & Agriculture. They have invested nearly $25 million in addressing farmer behavioral health on a state by state basis as part of the Farm and Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN) through state Departments of Agriculture.
Scan the QR code below, or go to www.nyfarmnet.org/trainings to register by September 28. Contact NY FarmNet at 1-800-547-3276 with any questions.
This work is supported by 7 U.S.C. 5936, Section 7522 of FCEA of 2008, Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network (FRSAN), Grant No. 2021-70035-35550, from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
