David Brown Presentation

Suicide Prevention and the Agricultural Community

David N. Brown, PhD, LMFT, CFLE; Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; Dawn Dunnegan, B.S., Danielle Day, B.S. – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

dnbrown@iastate.edu

He received his Doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies, with a Specialization in Marriage and Family Therapy from Iowa State University, his Master of Science in Family Studies from Texas Tech University, and his Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Colorado State University. He is licensed as a Marital and Family Therapist in the State of Iowa, is a Clinical Fellow of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy, and is a Certified Family Life Educator (CFLE).

Learning objective:
1. Participants will be able to list three risk factors of suicide.
2. Participants will have a basic understanding of two suicide prevention strategies.
3. Participants will be able to demonstrate how to engage an individual who is distressed or at risk for suicide
4. Participants will be able to list two resources to assist those who may be suicide.

Discuss this presentation with the authors on Thursday, November 19 from noon – 12:30 on the Zoom Live-stream.

Abstract

Farmers and ranchers have had a difficult few years. Severe economic stress, weather related issues, and now the implications of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the temporary closures of meat processing plants, have placed unprecedented pressures on the agricultural community. There have also been predictions of a spike in deaths by suicide related to the social, economic and anxiety producing implications of the current pandemic. This program will briefly review the basic risk factors of suicide. It will also detail the intervention strategies from two suicide prevention programs that Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has directed towards the agricultural community. The first program, “Stress on the Farm: Strategies to Help Each Other” was offered in a face-to-face format across Iowa. “Question.Persuade.Refer.” was delivered virtually to participants from twelve states and Canada. Both provide unique approaches to support those who may be struggling. Participants will thus leave with a better understanding of these two strategies to engage individuals who are distressed or at risk for suicide. Potential resources will also be reviewed.

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Handout:

Links: 

Question.Persuade.Refer (QPR) Info

Mental Health and Well-Being