Co Ag Commissioner 4

Co Ag Commissioner 4

Maura Bennett
Maura Bennett
It's not news that families in agricultural communities are challenged by mental health issues. Colorado has had a mental health initiative underway for the last few years started under former Colorado Commissioner of Agriculture Don Brown.

His successor, Ag Commissioner Kate Greenberg says mental health remains one of her priorities.

"We are looking to do outreach 2.0 on this initiative. Get our materials to more places, create more outreach use more diverse media to create outreach. We're working with our partners in the public health sector to see if there's some cross training we could do that public health officials know how to engage with farmers and ranchers, with the understanding that when a farmer or rancher is in crisis there are variables at play that are unique to any other person who is dealing with a crisis."

The Department of Ag has partnered with the Crisis Hotline so that any farmer or rancher who is dealing with a mental health crisis or know someone who is, has a way to contact someone and receive confidential support. Outreach materials are distributed in sale barns, financial institutions, extension offices and other areas around the state.

For anyone in crisis, the hotline number is 844-493 TALK or you can text TALK to 38255

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