Washington State University Voucher Program
Agricultural Issues
Don McMoran
Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Faculty- Director
Washington State University
Burlington
Abstract
Agriculture is known to be a dangerous occupation full of potential stressors like weather, changing economic markets and machinery breakdowns, requiring flexibility and adaptability when external and internal resources might already be scarce. When stressors start to compound, many farmers experience excessive stress and feel overwhelmed, making it hard to move forward to positive solutions. High levels of stress and easy access to means, such as guns or poisons, contribute to high rates of suicide in agricultural workers. To prevent agricultural suicides, Washington State University Extension, in collaboration with the WSU Psychology Clinic and a private foundation donation created the WSU Voucher Program https://extension.wsu.edu/skagit/free-therapy-voucher-program/. In June of 2021, Extension Professor Don McMoran developed a partnership with Dr. Conny Kirchoff of the WSU Psychology Clinic, starting the voucher program that allows agricultural workers to receive up to six telehealth counseling sessions at no cost. To receive services, participants call the WSU Psychology Clinic at (509) 335-3587, mention the Farm Stress Counseling Program, and provide their name, phone number, and email to set up an appointment. The Clinic then asks participants to complete intake paperwork at https://psychologyclinic.wsu.edu/
Special accommodations are provided to farmers, ranchers and farm workers whose primary language is Spanish, using translation services, and participants without internet access, using telephone options. To date, the program has been utilized by nine (9) participants, with an uptick of numbers after specific efforts were made to advertise the program. In addition, work on decreasing stigma around farmer mental health through direct promotion at fairs, workshops and conferences, brochures, and video material has helped increase participation. A marketing campaign is planned to encourage more farmers, ranchers and farm workers to utilize the WSU Voucher program and decrease stigma around mental health in this community. Participants had the following comments: “I am so glad you are focusing on us (agricultural community);” “This has helped me determine what is most important for me and using my values moving forward;” ”Reaching out to other people in my farm community was a life saver.”
Authors: Don McMoran
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Don McMoran Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Faculty- Director, Washington State University, Washington, 98233