Events and webinars

Wednesday, March 27 2024 | 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

In this webinar, we tackle important yet overlooked issues in agriculture. We aim to offer valuable insights and support, empowering participants to openly discuss challenges faced by producers and their families. Topics include recognizing signs of depression, anxiety, and suicidality, exploring effective ways to intervene in crisis situations, and discovering available resources for producers and their families.

PARTICIPANTS WILL
• Discuss challenges facing producers and their family members.
• Identify signs of depression, anxiety, and suicidality.
• Explore triage for suicidality. 
• Learn resources available to producers, their families, and those who work with producers.

HOSTED BY
Dr. Nick Weshinskey, a licensed professional educator in the state of Illinois who also holds national board certification in counseling. His counseling experience has included providing crisis intervention, along with providing outpatient counseling to individuals, couples, families, and groups.

Karen Stallman, Ag Resource Specialist and Farm Family Resource Initiative Program Coordinator.

Wednesday, April 17 | 8-8:30 am | Virtual

Calling all farmers, ranchers and agricultural professionals: 
Let’s gather for an important conversation about mental health and well-being.

During our session, we’ll delve into crucial topics to support you and your loved ones:
• Share and explore the challenges facing producers and their families
• Discover strategies for managing and supporting individuals experiencing suicidality
• Explore a wealth of resources available to producers, their families, and those who 
work within agricultural communities

HOSTED BY
Dr. Nick Weshinskey, a licensed professional educator and national board certified counselor. His counseling experience has included providing crisis intervention and outpatient counseling to individuals, couples, families and groups.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Karen Leavitt Stallman at ffri@siumed.edu or 618-713-0759.

With suicide on the rise within the agriculture community, the Farm Family Resource Initiative is launching an open support group for farmers and farm family members 18 years and older who have lost a loved one to suicide. The group will meet monthly and the meetings will be held virtually.

Survivors of suicide loss share a singular bond. While each situation is different, those who have lost a loved one to suicide tend to experience similar feelings and stages of grief, and have similar questions. Support groups provide an opportunity to meet others who understand and are willing to share. 

The suicide bereavement support group meets virtually on the fourth Tuesday of each month.

April 23, May 28 and June 25 | 8-9 am

A separate grief support group meets virtually on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

April 24, May 22 and June 26 | 7-8 pm
 

For more information, please contact Rachel Brown at 
217-718-6315 or rachelbrown.lpc24@gmail.com. 

This is a 6 week virtual series that begins March 18 and will take place each Monday through April 22. 

Participants will learn techniques to deal with symptoms of chronic pain conditions, such as fatigue, sleeplessness, stress, and emotional problems such as depression, anger, fear, and frustration, with emphasis on cognitive behavioral therapy techniques for managing pain.

Topics include but not limited to: Balancing activity with rest, tools for overcoming worst-case thinking, working effectively with health care professionals, action planning, problem solving, and decision-making.

For questions, contact Haley Jones, Illinois AgrAbility Program Coordinator, at haleyj@illinois.edu or 217-244-2948.