Recipient Organization
WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY
240 FRENCH ADMINISTRATION BLDG
PULLMAN,WA 99164-0001
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
WRASAP V (Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership, Phase 5) is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to supporting the mental wellbeing of farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and agricultural communities across 13 Western states and 4 territories. The program is funded by the USDA Farm & Ranch Stress Assistance Network and coordinated through partnerships with land-grant universities, extension services, commodity organizations, advocacy groups, and health centers.GoalsExpand and strengthen regional networks to address farm stress and suicide prevention in culturally and geographically tailored ways.Provide education, outreach, and direct resources to bolster resilience and behavioral health among agricultural populations.Continuously evaluate strategies and program impact through ongoing data collection and stakeholder feedback.Core MethodsNetworkingQuarterly online and in-person network meetings unify diverse stakeholders to collaborate, share resources, and strategize outreach.Internal team meetings offer regular updates and troubleshooting on program activities.Expanding outreach through partnerships with the National AgrAbility Project, commodity groups, and regional advocates.Education and OutreachTargeted delivery of mental health literacy trainings such as QPR (suicide prevention), Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), COMET, community workshops, and experiential events like Pizza 4 Producers.Outreach via trade shows, field days, podcasts, webinars, social media (including Spanish-language channels), and peer support groups. Resources also translated where needed for maximum accessibility.Curriculum adaptations for youth, aging, beginning, multi-generational, and minority farmers/farmworkers further extend impact.Direct ServicesFarm Aid and AgriSafe provide hotline and crisis support--expanded hours, bilingual operators, and resource navigation.Counseling vouchers, mini-grants, and peer-led mentoring increase access to behavioral health care.Partners facilitate peer support events (e.g., Coffee and Connection) and local resilience-building initiatives, notably in underserved states/territories like Hawaii, Guam, and New Mexico.EvaluationBaseline and follow-up surveys carried out to understand prominent stressors and refine outreach.Impact data, case numbers, referral logs, and stakeholder feedback regularly reported and shared with USDA and collaborators.Outcomes and AchievementsHundreds of farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers reached through gatherings, trainings, and counseling services.Enhanced resource clearinghouse (farmstress.us), interactive maps, hotline expansion, and increased bilingual content.Educational campaigns reduce stigma and build mental health competencies, with special attention to high-risk communities (veteran farmers, youth, Native American, Latinx, Asian/Pacific Islander agricultural workers).Continuous improvement and adaptation seen through feedback-driven programming, asset-mapping, and professional development for staff and community educators.SummaryWRASAP V coordinates a robust multi-state, multi-agency effort to build agricultural community resilience, improve mental health literacy, expand direct support services, and ensure culturally and geographically sensitive programming for farm stress and suicide prevention. Its evidence-based approach is informed by continuous evaluation, broad stakeholder participation, and the lived experience of those within rural and agricultural environments
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
WRASAP OverviewSince 2019, WRASAP has expanded mental health outreach and education for agricultural audiences across 13 Western U.S. states and 4 territories. The region's vast geography presents unique challenges, so WRASAP activities are organized into Networking, Evaluation, Education, and Direct Services.Surveys of both producers and workers, coordinated by Montana State University and partners, identified key stressors and preferred mental health outreach methods to guide programming in each state and the region overall.Key Programmatic AreasNetworkingUC Davis leads networking with bilingual social media, email listservs, and quarterly meetings to maintain engagement among stakeholders.Regular virtual and in-person networking events support community resilience and collaboration.EvaluationBaseline and follow-up surveys monitor agricultural stress and program effectiveness.Program data, feedback, and impacts are aggregated regionally and by state, informing ongoing and future outreach and resource allocation.EducationWRASAP partners implement tailored mental health trainings such as QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), Mental Health First Aid, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and specialized workshops for farmers, ranchers, youth, and providers.Outreach includes events, direct mail, conference presentations, and coordination via mini-grants to support local wellness projects.Special emphasis is placed on community-driven programs and culturally relevant materials, covering topics like suicide prevention, stress management, and resource navigation.Direct ServicesFarm Aid and AgriSafe operate dedicated hotlines and crisis lines, including expanded hours and Spanish-language support.University partners coordinate voucher programs for counseling, outreach to underserved populations, and support for specialized therapy sessions.Farmworker- and producer-focused peer support groups and networks are regularly facilitated, supported by minigrants and collaborative partners.Selected State-Specific HighlightsMontana: Trains facilitators in the Mental Wellness Conversation Curriculum, implements wellness minigrants, and hands out hundreds of outreach materials at state events.Colorado, Wyoming, New Mexico (Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, CSU): Rural Peer Assistance and skill trainings; contract support specialists train ag professionals and deliver community wellness events.California: Community-focused curricula deliver mental health literacy and facilitate leadership among rural stakeholders.Arizona, Hawaii, Guam, Alaska and others: Tailor programs to distinct cultural and geographic factors with specialized training for peer mentors, bilingual resource delivery, and locally devised outreach strategies.Major Deliverables and OutcomesAt least 20 newly trained facilitators for key curricula, regular Mental Health First Aid offerings, and documented outreach at statewide conferences.Ongoing, publicly accessible online clearinghouse of mental health resources and interactive maps.Regional and state-specific reports, outcome data, and resource logs are compiled and disseminated on a quarterly basis.Expanded hotline operations, resource promotion, and cross-state support facilitate farmer and worker access to mental health care.Collaborative efforts produce films, podcasts, webinars, and educational materials for broad distribution.Evidence-based training in suicide prevention and stress management reaches both ag community members and behavioral health professionals.SummaryWRASAP coordinates a comprehensive, multi-state network to address mental health needs in agriculture, enhance professional and community capacity, and improve access to relevant support services. Activities include robust training, innovative outreach, targeted direct services, and continuous evaluation. These efforts collectively reduce stigma, promote well-being, and strengthen rural and agricultural communities across the Western region.
Project Methods
WRASAP V utilizes a comprehensive set of methods to address agricultural stress and mental health in the Western region, focusing on network building, education, evaluation, and direct services.Network BuildingQuarterly network meetings and regular internal team sessions foster collaboration across diverse regional partners, including land grant universities, extension systems, health organizations, commodity groups, and advocacy coalitions.Development of a continuously updated clearinghouse of farmer assistance programs via farmstress.us, accessible to all stakeholders.Education & OutreachDelivery of culturally and geographically appropriate trainings, such as QPR (suicide prevention), Mental Health First Aid, COMET, and community workshops tailored for farmers, ranchers, farmworkers, and support professionals.Outreach through partner events (workshops, field days, conferences), direct mail campaigns, podcasts, webinars, peer support groups, and targeted social media in multiple languages.Specialty programming designed for at-risk subgroups, such as youth, ethnic minorities, aging/veteran farmers, and those with disabilities.EvaluationUse of baseline surveys and periodic participant feedback to identify stressors, gaps, and program effectiveness.Regular reporting of outcomes, impact data, and progress to stakeholders and funders.Direct ServicesProvision and expansion of hotline services (phone/text/web), including extended hours and bilingual support for stress and crisis assistance.Implementation of counseling voucher programs, peer mentorship, mental health literacy training, and resource navigation to increase access to behavioral health care.Mini-grants and contract support empower localized projects and partnerships to address unique community mental health needs.Collaborative InnovationsAsset mapping, shared drives, and best practice exchanges among WRASAP partners and national FRSAN networks.Development of community-centric innovations like Pizza 4 Producers to foster social connection and resilience through experiential learning events.These methods ensure WRASAP V is data-driven, stakeholder-informed, and adaptable to the complex landscape and diverse needs of Western agricultural communities.