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Emotional Wellness Can Be A Team Effort

by Sabrina Lane

October is Emotional Wellness Month and provides us an opportunity to perhaps slow down, be mindful of what’s happening around us, and reflect on the events of the last 9 months. For me, this year has absolutely flown by and so many great things have happened here at 211!! We have grown our staff, have developed and launched new programs, and continue to assist vulnerable populations in a more comprehensive way all across the state. I am also grateful for the programs that exist in Wyoming to help those who are struggling right now. Whether the struggles are financial, food insecurities, or mental health issues, there are programs, such as AgriSafe, that can help people in need and hopefully get them to a place of emotional and physical wellness. Enjoy our newsletter.


We are so proud of our Executive Director Sabrina Lane and Rebekah Hazelton of Wyoming Women's Foundation as they have been honored by The Wyoming Business Report as 2022's Women of Influence in the Nonprofit category.
 
This month's DEEP DIVE:


 
AgriSafe is an organization committed to improving the health and safety of farmers and ranchers. Originally formed in 2003 by rural nurses, today AgriSafe helps to improve the competency of health and safety professionals providing care to this unique demographic.

The AgriSafe
website is a valuable archive of information related to risk factors unique to the agricultural industry, while providing additional learning opportunities through webinars, podcasts, and more. Specific trainings can be requested on a vast collection of topics. Wyoming 211 reached out to AgriSafe recently for more information about their organization and services.

Q: AgriSafe recently hosted
Protecting the Safety of Women in Ag Week, which placed the health and safety of women in the agricultural industry in the forefront. How did that go, and what are some of the concerns that are unique to women in agriculture?

A: The webinars were well attended, and we are always excited to see women taking charge of their health and safety by attending.  The number one concern is safety due to the difference in size and stature compared to male farmers. Women have to think creatively on how they will perform strenuous tasks due to these differences so that they can decrease their risk of injury. 

Q: Nonprofits spend a lot of time researching
Social Determinants of Health in the hopes of discovering commonalities which, once addressed, can help to improve health outcomes. What are some of the social determinants of health which are fairly common to those working in agriculture as well as their families?

A: AgriSafe takes pride in the education that our organization offers.  Many farmers/ranchers continue the same practices passed on from the generation prior. Educating them on PPE (personal protective equipment) is a huge part of our way to help farmers decrease exposures and injury. Living and working in rural areas is a large concern for safety as well as mental health. Farmers often work in remote areas with low to no cell service, they also often times work alone so there is very little social interaction. We encourage that farmer to let someone know where they will be working and also to reach out if they experience any signs of depression due to isolation. Also, due to living in such rural areas, access to quality health care including mental health care is often times a struggle.


Q: AgriSafe has recently launched AgriStress Response, a network of agricultural professionals seeking to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health issues such as stress, depression, anxiety, and suicide. What are some of the stressors that are unique to the agricultural community?

A:  Mother Nature is a large stressor every year due to its unpredictability. The economy also changes as quick as the wind does. Labor shortages are nationwide right now, and farming is never short on labor. Trade agreements can affect the price and products of goods. Farmers/ranchers have little to no control over any of these factors, yet they can make or break a farmer's financial year as well as take a toll on their mental health. 

Q: How receptive is the agricultural community to, for example, taking health assessments, and especially with regards to seeking assistance for mental health? Do AgriSafe and their health professional partners encounter any barriers to providing service?

A:  It seems that in the last few years, especially since the pandemic, mental health is agriculture is coming to the forefront as something we need to address. More agriculture workers are openly speaking about this and slowly decreasing the stigma of reaching out for help. Farming and ranching is a series of hills and valleys and those valleys can feel extremely low at times. Some of the barriers we see is the pride of the farmer. He/she is not used to asking for help. Access to mental health in a rural area can prove to be difficult. Work is never finished on the farm and taking a half day to travel to the nearest provider means that work is not getting done while they are gone. Stigma and privacy have always been issues for farmers. Most live in small communities where there is little privacy, not from the providers, but socially. Example: The farmer parks at the local doctors or counselors' office and most community members know what that farmer drives, now there is the stigma that the farmer can't handle the pressures of his/her career.  This will keep that farmer from seeking out help.

Q: What feedback have you received from health professionals that demonstrate the benefits of the trainings AgriSafe provides?

A:  Healthcare professionals love the training because it gives them an insight into the stressors we've been discussing.  It allows them to have a better understanding of the agricultural world, which then inspires a more meaningful conversation with that farmer.  Those two factors then build trust and allow that farmer to open up and discuss their health concerns.

Q: How can those of us who are not in the agricultural industry be more understanding and supportive of our friends and neighbors across Wyoming who are doing the hard work of helping to feed the world?

A:  Research or ask the farmer directly why and how they make certain decisions when raising livestock or crops. Have mental health resources on your phone in case you have a conversation with a farmer that you feel may be in crisis or need to speak to someone in the mental health field. Just know that farmers/ranchers are tired and stressed much of the time due to the unpredictability of this field, but they would love to speak with you about their farm and they will do it with pride!

Q: Do you have any upcoming events that you would like to share with us?

A: Invest In Your Health Week is coming up - October 17 to October 21, and we will be hosting a series of webinars for Ag Educators. There are a variety of topics such as how to protect your hearing when you're working with noisy equipment, coping skills for teens, the benefits of using personal protective equipment, and more. The AgriStress Response Network also holds monthly meetings to discuss how best to serve the farming and ranching community with regards to mental health. Their next meeting is November 4.

Register for Invest In Your Health Week

You can contact AgriSafe at:

Web: https://www.agrisafe.org/
email: info@agrisafe.org


 
AgriSafe,
doing great things for the Cowboy State.

Wyoming 211 is pleased to have AgriSafe as a resource in our database. Callers to 211 with questions, concerns, or needs related to health and safety in the agriculture industry will receive referral information to AgriSafe in addition to other organizations established to address any related or additional needs.

Special thank you to Carey Portell with Agrisafe and Nichole Coyne with Wyoming 211 for their assistance with this article.

On September 29th, we received a call from a woman who was quite distraught, as she was hungry, had no food in her home, and didn't know what to do. She spoke with Natasha, Wyoming 211's newest Community Resource Specialist. Listening to the caller describe her desperate situation, Natasha was able to connect the caller to the resources she needed. By accessing the resources in Wyoming 211's database, Natasha was able to locate food pantries near the caller's home. Within hours, the caller had met with a kind couple who were helping to run a food pantry through their local church. The caller told us that the couple were wonderful and caring, and provided her with chicken and other food she didn't expect to receive. "I cried when I saw all they were giving us, we got chicken! I got a little embarrassed that I cried," the caller told us. "I am so grateful for this church, the food pantry and Wyoming 211." 


INFORMATION

Does your organization have some EXCITING NEWS to share? A significant accomplishment? We'd sure love to spread the word about the good work you're doing. Just send us an EMAIL!

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is working to help build awareness about the Affordable Connectivity Program, a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) program. The new long-term benefit will help to lower the cost of broadband service for eligible households struggling to afford internet service. For more information and full details, visit https://www.fcc.gov/acp or call 877-384-2575.



Daylight Savings Time ends on Sunday, November 6.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 8.

Veterans' Day is Friday, November 11.




EVENTS

Does your organization have an upcoming event? Events occurring after November 15 can be featured in our next newsletter and we'd love to help spread the word. Just send us an EMAIL!



Wyoming 211 and Enroll Wyoming will be holding webinars for employers to learn about health insurance options, how to protect and keep your employees healthy, and other services through the first week of December. Check for the date of the webinar focusing on your county. Webinars will be held on each date at Noon and 6:00 PM.

Sheridan, Johnson, Campbell, Crook, Weston - November 15, 2022
Natrona, Converse, Niobrara - November 9, 2022
Albany, Laramie, Goshen, Platte - November 8, 2022
Carbon, Teton, Sublette, Lincoln, Uinta, Sweetwater - November 2, 2022
Park, Hot Springs, Washakie, Big Horn - November 3, 2022
Wind River Indian Reservation, Fremont - November 17, 2022
Statewide Option if you are unable to attend the above dates - December 6, 2022

Registration for any of the above dates is available HERE.

-

AgriSafe is hosting Invest In Your Health Week from October 17 to October 21, featuring a series of webinars for Ag Educators. LINK


Laramie Foster Closet will be hosting their Fall Fest event on October 22 in Laramie. There are about a gazillion activities scheduled! LINK

National Rural Health Day (NRHD) is November 17, and is an opportunity to “Celebrate the Power of Rural” by honoring the selfless, community-minded and determined spirit that prevails in rural America. NRHD showcases the efforts of rural healthcare providers, organizations and cooperatives, State Offices of Rural Health, and stakeholders from various industry sectors dedicated to addressing Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) and the unique healthcare challenges that rural citizens face today and into the future. LINK

November is National Solo Album Month, an opportunity for musicians to set aside their typical workflow and write, record, mix, and release an album of at least 28 minutes and 22 seconds - from scratch - before the month is over, leaving no time to nitpick and constantly second-guess yourself. Karis is participating, you can, too. Or you can just find out why the length has to be at least 28 minutes and 22 seconds (it's in the FAQ). You know that it's going to nag at you until you find out for yourself. LINK 
 
To Our Friends in the Medical Profession:

Natasha (Tasha) Moreno joined the Wyoming 211 team in July and has been working hard to learn all of the details involved with being a Community Resource Specialist. Now fully trained, she is actively helping to connect people to the resources they need.

"Since I was young, I have always loved helping others, especially in times of need - which it feels like everyone is needing more of these days. I am the oldest of 4 sisters and a proud mother to my only daughter Yazmin. I was born in Nebraska, but I have lived here in Cheyenne since I was 3 years old. I absolutely love my family, reading, baking and anything food. I want to be remembered as kind and welcoming so I will always go above and beyond for anyone in need. Wyoming 211 is growing, and it is truly rewarding to see how many people it has helped and will continue helping as we grow. I enjoy working with 211 and making a difference in our community - for this is our home."

Natasha is a great addition to the Wyoming 211 team, and contributes each day to Wyoming 211's goals. We are very happy to have her here at Wyoming 211.

Fun Fact: Natasha and Karis share the same birthday!

This Month's Question comes to us from Kristie Wilson of



Would you rather be fluent in all languages or be a master of every musical instrument?

"Fluent in all languages." - Sabrina

"Fluent in all languages. But I sure do enjoy listening to those who are musical. - Jane

"Fluent in all languages definitely! Language interpreters make excellent money and they get to travel."Josie
 
"Fluent in every language hands down!" Nichole
 
"Fluent in ALL languages definitely!" - Natasha

"I'd rather be fluent in all languages, that way I could travel to any country and not have any language barriers!" - Olivia
 
"If I had the opportunity to really utilize language on a daily basis by, say, helping publishers translate important works of literature into every language, then I would definitely go with that. But if I was just going through my regular routine with all of this knowledge that I was rarely using and only traveling outside the U.S. to the extent that I currently do, I would feel like that amazing gift was being wasted. Music really is a universal language that speaks to everyone, and it would make me happier bringing people joy through music on a daily basis rather than knowing that maybe someday if I happen to be in a restaurant in Morocco that I would be able to order a meal in perfect Berber."Karis
 
Seriously, what is with Karis and his long answers? Maybe we'll give him a word limit. Do you have a question for the Wyoming 211 team? ASK!
 
Here's Jane at the Roll and Read Event in Casper!


Sabrina and Olivia handing out all of our awesome swag at the Connect2Women Conference in Casper!
 
Look for us in your community!            Invite us to your event!

This week was the first week that truly started to feel like autumn in Cheyenne, with cooler winds stretching across the summit between the Capital city and Laramie, and trees proudly displaying their delightful foliage.

Of course, the changing of the seasons reminds us that we are moving into the phase of the year where holidays sneak up on us and our thoughts are drawn towards family and feelings of love and compassion, and a yearning for the less fortunate among us to have the sustenance that they need.  

According to the USDA, more than 34 million people, including 9 million children, in the United States are food insecure. The Feeding America website tells us that “Children and adults face hunger in every community across the country. Your neighbor, child’s classmate or even coworker may be struggling to get enough to eat.”

A deeper dive into the statistics informs us that 59,570 people are facing hunger in Wyoming - and that 17,390 of them are children. 1 in 8 children in Wyoming face hunger. Many of these are circumstances which might not be easily recognized at first glance.

Several months ago, Wyoming 211 published a Special Report exploring the impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on charitable donations within our state, and the results have been concerning. You can read the article HERE. It is quite possible that this fall and winter may be even more difficult for those in need.

Here at Wyoming 211, we connect the hardworking programs and individuals who provide services to our friends and neighbors in need on a daily basis. With one call, we can locate food pantries and help to address an individual or family's needs in a more complete way. As the colder months approach and we are reminded of the importance of helping those in need, we hope you'll join us in our continuing efforts to serve the people of Wyoming.


Launched in February 2011, Wyoming 211 is a statewide helpline and website which provides free, confidential, health and human services information and referral. By dialing 211 or visiting the website, Wyomingites can connect to information about local resources from both government and nonprofit agencies.

Website: wyoming211.org 
 

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