Mental health in the agriculture community is a growing concern and in a few weeks, there is a special program being offered by the University of Illinois Extension Office that will address this.

Terri Miller-Casey is the Extension Director for the U of I Extension in Logan, Menard, and Sangamon Counties and explains as the challenges in agriculture continue to mount, so do the mental health issues and this will be a program to equip anyone close to someone in agriculture.

Death by suicide and forms of self-medication is on the rise among farmers and the general public. Miller-Casey says the one thing about farmers is they are very proud individuals who may have a hard time seeking out help and they want to be a resource for those that need help in this time.

While an ag-based organization like Extension, Miller-Casey believes anyone can benefit from this program and come away with the skills and resources to help themselves or others around them.

Miller-Casey says this is something the University of Illinois Extension has reached out to many organizations to help coordinate with. She believes it is going to be a powerful resource. 

Again this is a free program on January 19 from 8 am to 3:30 pm all online. Visit extension.illinois.edu for more on this program and many others.