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Vermont presenters describe FarmFirst outreach, crisis lines and funding squeeze for farmer mental health
Summary
FarmFirst and InvestEAP told a legislative committee FarmFirst offers rapid access to clinicians, peer support and tailored Mental Health First Aid for farmers; presenters said funding has tightened and there is no current appropriations request, while crisis referrals route to a 24/7 intake and 988 where appropriate.
FarmFirst and InvestEAP representatives told a committee that an outreach program serving Vermont farmers provides rapid access to licensed clinicians, peer support and training designed for agricultural communities, but that funding constraints have reduced outreach capacity.
Angela Shea, a social worker with FarmFirst, said the program offers a hotline, counseling, peer support and web resources and is designed to reach farmers and family members "where they're at" by phone, text or Zoom. Shea said the program serves about "anywhere from 80 to a 100 a year" and stressed that brief, timely contacts can connect farmers to longer-term care.
"We know that suicidality is three times higher in our ag populations," Shea said, describing outreach, psychoeducation and community events as key methods to reduce…
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