A new resource aims to boost practical support to help people navigate mental health resources in rural communities. The course, “Mental Health and Suicide Prevention in Rural America,” targets veterinarians. Rural Minds has partnered with Cornell University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and NY FarmNet to provide the service. Rural Minds and Cornell staff think veterinarians may be the first ones to see people in trouble.
Source: Brownfield, September 25, 2024. Link. (includes audio) Research has shown that rural communities have approximately 65 percent higher rates of suicide in their population compared to urban areas, and farmers are twice as likely than those in other occupations to die by suicide. The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a free, 24-hour-a-day service that connects people to crisis counselors and resources.