Governor Laura Kelly Announces Kansas Department of Agriculture Receives $500,000 Grant to Promote Mental Health

Right now, Governor Laura Kelly introduced Kansas has acquired a $500,000 grant from the U.S. Division of Agriculture (USDA) to unfold consciousness for the KansasAgStress.org internet website and destigmatize psychological well being in Kansas’ agriculture group.

“This $500,000 grant will assist us destigmatize psychological well being and promote the wellbeing of Kansas farmers, ranchers, and our agriculture workforce,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “Kansas farmers and ranchers feed the world – they’re essential to society, and my administration will proceed To make the most of every useful resource out tright here to assist them. I even Want to thank the USDA and the Kansas Division of Agriculture for prioritizing the psychological well being of Kansas’ agriculture group.”

The Kansas Division of Agriculture will use funding to create a statewide advertising campaign To Increase consciousness for the KansasAgStress.org internet website, develop reusable media content material, and work to destigmatize the idea of psychological well being consciousness wright hereas reducing suicide costs Inside the agriculture enterprise in Kansas.

Tright here are a quantity of exterior elements that contribute To emphasize Inside the agriculture enterprise. Creating consciousness and equipping staff with assist useful assets will assist scale again disaster circumstances.

“Members of the Kansas agriculture group really feel stress that comes from many instructions, And It is important that psychological well being Isn’t ignored,” said Kansas Division of Agriculture Deputy Secretary Kelsey Olson. “These Kansans are valued members of their group and work exhausting to develop the meals and gasoline that currents our state, nation and world. We look forward to using this grant to assist All of the members of our Kansas ag household and to shine a spotlight on the urgency of psychological well being in agriculture.”

“Mental well being is well being, and we should proceed to wrestle the stigma by way of accessible useful assets Simply like the Kansas Ag Stress internetwork — particularly as suicide costs are climbing in rural areas,” said Rep. Sharice Davids (KS-03). “Kansans work exhausting, and we Look after Each completely different. Packages like this guarantee every particular person in every nook of our state is Aware of that In the event that they’re struggling, They do not Appear to be alone, and tright here are useful assets right here To assist.”

In complete, the USDA Nationwide Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) introduced an funding of almost $25 million for 50 grants assisting Farm and Ranch Stress Help Community (FRSAN) State Division of Agriculture (SDA) tasks.

Funded tasks should provoke, increase, or maintain programs that current expert agricultural behavioral well being counseling and referral for completely different Sorts of assistance as needed by way of farm telephone assistlines and internet web websites; teaching programs and workshops; assist teams; and outrevery providers and actions.