News
Suicide support group for farm families begins in 2024
Published Date:
With suicides increasing 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.
The suicide bereavement support group will meet virtually on the fourth Tuesday of each month from 8 – 9 am. The dates set for 2024 are January 23, February 27, March 26, April 23, May 28 and June 25.
A separate grief support group also meets virtually on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 7 – 8 pm. In 2024, those dates are January 24, February 28, March 27, April 24, May 22 and June 26.
There is no charge to participate. The Illinois Department of Human Services' Division of Mental Health and the Illinois Department of Agriculture in cooperation with USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture are providing financial support.
Rachel Brown will lead the group. Rachel grew up on a family farm in Mercer County and worked for an agriculture company for almost five years before becoming a counselor. Through internships at SIU Center for Family Medicine and Pepper Brown & Associates in Springfield, she gained skills and interventions necessary to help clients struggling with anxiety, depression, life transitions, trauma, grief and more.
For more information or to register, contact Rachel at 217-718-6315 or email rachelbrown.lpc24@gmail.com.
The Southern Illinois University School of Medicine Center for Rural Health and Social Service Development (CRHSSD) is leading the effort to build a network of support and resources for Illinois farm families. Visit siumed.org/farm to learn more.
