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Oklahoma State University: OSU Medicine, Oklahoma Department Of Agriculture Partner To Study Mental Health Of Farme ...
Recently, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry was awarded a $500,000 grant by the United States Department of Agri ...
2022-02-14
Recently, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry was awarded a
$500,000 grant by the United States Department of Agriculture to study mental health
conditions of farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma, as well as develop ways to assist
rural Oklahomans struggling with their mental health. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
has partnered with OSU Center for Health Sciences and OSU Extension to spearhead this
initiative.
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Recently, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry was awarded a
$500,000 grant by the United States Department of Agriculture to study mental health
conditions of farmers and ranchers in Oklahoma, as well as develop ways to assist
rural Oklahomans struggling with their mental health. The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture
has partnered with OSU Center for Health Sciences and OSU Extension to spearhead this
initiative.
Dr. Jason Beaman, chair of the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department at OSU-CHS,
is leading a large-scale research study looking at mental health and agriculture outcomes.
Find out what's happening in Oklahoma Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Dr. Jason Beaman, chair of the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department at OSU-CHS,
is leading a large-scale research study looking at mental health and agriculture outcomes.
OSU Center for Rural Health’s Denna Wheeler, director of rural research and evaluation,
and Mark Woodring, assistant dean of rural health, will conduct surveys and focus
groups with ranchers and farmers to provide even more information regarding mental
health conditions, prevention and treatment.
OSU Center for Rural Health’s Denna Wheeler, director of rural research and evaluation,
and Mark Woodring, assistant dean of rural health, will conduct surveys and focus
groups with ranchers and farmers to provide even more information regarding mental
health conditions, prevention and treatment.
Other programs funded by the one-year grant include the new Project ECHO line, Heal
the Harvester, that aims to increase awareness of needs and resources to support ranchers
and farmers experiencing mental health crises.
Other programs funded by the one-year grant include the new Project ECHO line, Heal
the Harvester, that aims to increase awareness of needs and resources to support ranchers
and farmers experiencing mental health crises.
OSU Extension offices can then help connect farmers and ranchers with mental health
resources and qualified health care professionals, and eventually, provide a place
for telemedicine services.
OSU Extension offices can then help connect farmers and ranchers with mental health
resources and qualified health care professionals, and eventually, provide a place
for telemedicine services.
Beaman said it was the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture that approached OSU-CHS
and OSU Extension with this extensive project and grant.
Beaman said it was the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture that approached OSU-CHS
and OSU Extension with this extensive project and grant.
“The ODAFF have prioritized mental health and mental illness, which is incredibly
important. Other people are thinking outside the box and are prioritizing mental health,”
he said.
“The ODAFF have prioritized mental health and mental illness, which is incredibly
important. Other people are thinking outside the box and are prioritizing mental health,”
he said.
Having that kind of information will not only help families but the state’s future
and economy.
Having that kind of information will not only help families but the state’s future
and economy.
Work is already underway and Beaman said research has already found a likely correlation
between wheat prices and suicide.
Work is already underway and Beaman said research has already found a likely correlation
between wheat prices and suicide.
“That’s really vital and important information to know. We have a lot more to drill
down on,” he said, and the stigma of having a mental health condition or illness may
play a factor in research outcomes and lead to possible education programs and awareness
campaigns about mental health.
“That’s really vital and important information to know. We have a lot more to drill
down on,” he said, and the stigma of having a mental health condition or illness may
play a factor in research outcomes and lead to possible education programs and awareness
campaigns about mental health.
“Our hypothesis is being a farmer or rancher is more than just an occupation, it’s
a lifestyle. Imagine if your entire livelihood was tied to a commodity that has ups
and downs and could crash overnight for reasons beyond your control,” he said. “It
may not be just your job that you lose, it may be your child’s job, your brother’s
job. Families are very connected, and it’s hard for that not to affect you down to
your core.”
“Our hypothesis is being a farmer or rancher is more than just an occupation, it’s
a lifestyle. Imagine if your entire livelihood was tied to a commodity that has ups
and downs and could crash overnight for reasons beyond your control,” he said. “It
may not be just your job that you lose, it may be your child’s job, your brother’s
job. Families are very connected, and it’s hard for that not to affect you down to
your core.”
Beaman said suicide is completed when people feel they don’t have any other options,
and while farmers may not lose their job because they are self-employed, that does
not mean they cannot experience significant loss and feel like they are out of options.
Beaman said suicide is completed when people feel they don’t have any other options,
and while farmers may not lose their job because they are self-employed, that does
not mean they cannot experience significant loss and feel like they are out of options.
During the one-year grant period, Beaman also hopes to research if correlations exist
between items like wheat prices and cattle prices and substance use disorders.
During the one-year grant period, Beaman also hopes to research if correlations exist
between items like wheat prices and cattle prices and substance use disorders.
When the research is collected and analyzed, the goal is to develop targeted prevention
and treatment programs as well as expand access to mental health care.
When the research is collected and analyzed, the goal is to develop targeted prevention
and treatment programs as well as expand access to mental health care.
“My department of psychiatry will be working with advocacy organizations, including
a powerful partner in this initiative, the OSU Extension Office, to make sure mental
health care is available to farmers and ranchers anywhere in Oklahoma,” he said.
“My department of psychiatry will be working with advocacy organizations, including
a powerful partner in this initiative, the OSU Extension Office, to make sure mental
health care is available to farmers and ranchers anywhere in Oklahoma,” he said.
This press release was produced by Oklahoma State University. The views expressed here are the author’s own.