A Farm Summit focusing on farmer suicide prevention will be held on Monday, August 19, 2024, from 11:00 am – 1:30 pm at Western Wisconsin Health’s Main Campus at 1100 Bergslien St., Baldwin, Wisconsin. There is a virtual option for those unable to travel to Baldwin, the virtual session will be broadcast live from 12:00 Noon – 1:30 pm.
Farming is a stressful and isolating occupation. This program is for healthcare, mental healthcare and agriculture service providers to network with each other and learn from experts and those with lived experiences around mental health challenges.
Dr. Sara Kohlbeck, from the Medical College of Wisconsin and conducts research around suicide says, “Suicide among farmers is an important public health issue. Studies have shown that in the United States and in Wisconsin, farmers have higher rates of suicide than those in other occupations. Farmers face unique stressors that contribute to suicide, and it is important for health care workers and others to understand these stressors to better support our farmers.”
Dr. Kohlbeck will speak at the Farm Summit and moderate a panel of farmers with lived experiences of farm stress and mental health challenges.
Suicide Prevention Summit Agenda
11:00 AM Check-in
11:15 AM Lunch – networking time
12:00 PM Dr. Sara Kohlbeck, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine, Medical College of Wisconsin
12:20 PM Farmer Panel – moderated by Dr. Kohlbeck. Panelists: Brittany Olson, Jaci Gerdes, and Jennifer Webster
1:15 PM Additional resources, wrap up
1:30 PM Adjourn
The Farm Summit is free, but registration is required. In-person registration is required by August 12 and in-person space is limited. You can register with this link: https://forms.gle/o9Uei4rjUADUqNV97
Contact joy.kirkpatrick@wisc.edu or call (608) 263-3485 if you have questions about the Farm Summit.
The Farm Summit is sponsored by UW-Madison Division of Extension, Wisconsin Department of Agriculture Farm Center, and Farmer Angel Network of Western Wisconsin. Financial support is provided by USDA-NIFA under Award Number 2020-70028-32728
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