SD Farm and Ranch Stress Summit

Please see the message below for information on an upcoming event aimed at mental health for those in the agricultural industry, their families, and communities.
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The South Dakota Counseling Association is partnering with the SDSU Extension Rural Behavioral Health Team  to provide a three-day educational & awareness event, the South Dakota Farm and Ranch Stress Summit. This Summit is in response to the levels of stress, anxiety, and depression that farmers, ranchers, and ag community members, that rely on the agricultural industry , are currently dealing with.  These challenges have been caused by weather and market fluctuations.  The purpose of the Summit is to provide the agricultural community with information on working through individual hardships and how to provide support to farmers, ranchers, and other producers dealing with stress.   In addition, we want to connect farmers with other professionals such as counselors, social workers, bankers, consultants, clergy, crop insurance agents and other business members. These conversations will strengthen communities across SD. This is an excellent time to come together as a state wide community of support.   
The Summit will be held September 23-25 at the Arrowwood Resort & Conference Center in Oacoma, SD (formerly Cedar Shores). A block of rooms has been reserved until Sep 1, under SD Farm & Ranch Stress Summit. 
Monday, Sep 23, we will start with Amber Dykshorn (a farm widow who lost recently lost her husband to suicide) & Michael Rosmann, who is a national speaker who specializes in farmer suicide. We will then have a variety of educational breakout sessions in the afternoon. The evening will be the presentation "Weathering the Storm"  a 1.5 hour workshop designed to help understand the signs and symptoms of chronic stress, and how to handle stress for a more productive mindset on the farm. 
 Tuesday, will again start with Dr. Rosmann, moving into additional educational breakout sessions, with the workshop, Communicating with Farmers, in the afternoon. Communicating with Farmers will help you recognize and respond when you suspect a farmer or farm family member might need help. This is an excellent way for helping professionals, such as counselors and social workers to learn more about life on the farm and the impact that production has on our community. 
 To register, please visit this link. https://extension.sdstate.edu/event/south-dakota-farm-and-ranch-stress-summit
 There are options for single day or multi day registrations. 10 Continuing education credits will be available- 6.5 on Monday  & 3.5 on Tuesday. Additional information can be found on the attached brochure. 
 
Please feel free to pass this on to other professionals that may be interested and don't hesitate to reach out to me with any additional questions at sdca.counseling@gmail.com

Rebecca Christiansen, LPC-MH, LPC, NCC
SDCA Executive Director

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