Please join us October 16, 2012 from 3-5 pm Eastern Time (2-4 CT, 1-3 MT, 12-2 PT) for a webinar to help you help those impacted by the drought. This is the first of two webinars EDEN will host dealing with the mental/behavioral health issues of drought (and wildfire) stress. Please share with your co-workers.
Drought Recovery Critical Issues for the Unexpected Helper in Drought
Presented by
Sherry Nelson, Human Development Specialist & Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Phyllis Onstad, Retired Extension Educator Family Resource Management, MEd Adult Education, Accredited Financial Counselor, AFC
Droughts are unpredictable with regard to duration and magnitude of severity. The impact of droughts on agriculture, farmers, farm families, ag businesses, and rural communities is notable and varies based on many factors at the levels of individuals, family, farm, community, region, and environment. A culmination of these elements may increase the risk of unhealthy stress levels, depression, and the possibility of suicide if coping skills and support systems are not adequate or available. However it is possible to reduce the risk of these negative outcomes by applying helpful interventions.
The program presented during this webinar is designed to help participants understand stress and its impact on individuals, family, and others including the possibility of depression and suicide. Effective means of coping and intervening with stress, depression, and suicide will be presented along with a template for resources. This training is not intended to equip staff to assume counseling roles but is intended to help lay people recognize warning signs and initiate appropriate actions when in the unintended helper role.
Outcomes: Learning (short-term): Participants will identify signs/symptoms indicating stress, depression, and suicide. Participants will identify ways to reduce stress and when to seek professional help or refer others for professional help. Participants will understand how stress factors for stressors for farmers and their families are the same and how they differ from non-farmers. Learn about self-care tools to reduce their risk of unhealthy stress levels and its impact on their life. Learn about national resources for help and how to identify local resources.
Action (medium-term): Participants when in the unintended helper role will: A) actively listen to an individual after recognizing the person may be exhibiting/communicating signs/symptoms of stress, depression and possibly suicide; B) share stress reduction strategies with individuals who may be exhibiting/communicating signs/symptoms of stress, depression and possibly suicide; C) seek professional help and/or refer for professional help individuals who are exhibiting/communicating signs/symptoms of stress, depression and possibly suicide when appropriate; D) practice self-care techniques when working with clients.
The webinar link is https://gomeet.itap.purdue.edu/eden2012/ The session will be recorded.
E. Kim Cassel, Ph.D.
Professor, College of Education and Human Sciences
South Dakota State University