Free Webinar Series Offered on Mental Health, Wellbeing
Free Webinar Series Offered on Mental Health, Wellbeing
The public can benefit from the South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension series of webinars on mental health and well-being for rural residents.
Mental health and well-being should be a priority and not an after-thought, according to Andrea Bjornestad, professor and SDSU Extension mental health specialist. People in rural communities and who work in agriculture face unique stressors and often balance multiple roles that can make it difficult to prioritize their mental health.
“Supporting the people behind agriculture is just as important as supporting the agricultural industry itself,” Bjornestad said. “By making mental health a more comfortable and common conversation, we can help people recognize when they or someone they care about may need support and encourage them to take that important step.”
These free webinars are part of the Strong Minds Strong Farms webinar series. They are on November 19 and 23, from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. and November 30, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. Registration is required to receive the Zoom link. To register, visit extension.sdstate.edu/events and search “strong.”
The first presentation, Self-Care Isn’t Selfish, will help participants recognize their own signs of stress and understand when stress may develop into something more serious like anxiety or depression. Participants will also engage in mindfulness activities and explore practical, everyday strategies for supporting mental well-being, including positive thinking and practicing gratitude.
Participants on November 23, will learn how to strengthen relationships with active listening skills, including interactive, and practice scenarios. On November 30, participants will receive Question, Persuade, Refer training, which teaches how to recognize the warning signs of a suicide crisis and act accordingly.
The program is inspired by Annie’s Project, which was designed for women in agriculture and available to all interested in agricultural business.
For more information, contact Bjornestad at 605-688-5125 or Andrea.Bjornestad@sdstate.edu.
