Suicide claims the lives of too many people in agriculture. The Minnesota Farm Suicide Prevention Campaign invites you to attend free workshops that teach anyone who lives or works in an agricultural community how to help when they see someone struggling. The campaign is co-sponsored by numerous farm groups, including the Minnesota Soybean Research & Promotion Council. The Minnesota Soybean Growers Association also advocates in St. Paul for funding for MDA’s rural mental health programs.

Please consider investing two hours of your time in learning more about mental wellness and suicide prevention.

Workshops are scheduled for Ada, Albert Lea, Austin, Buffalo, Cloquet, Crookston, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Marshall,  Mora, New Ulm, Rochester, Thief River Falls, Waite Park, Willmar and Worthington, Minnesota, from mid- September through late October. Go to QPR/COMET workshops for dates, locations and registration

Who should attend?

Farmers, farm family members, crop consultants, ag. lenders, insurance adjusters, Extension educators, county or township officials, rural clergy, state or federal agency staff, veterinarians, ag coop staff and board members, grain elevator staff, and anyone else who lives or works in a rural area.

What will I learn?

(Note: you can attend either or both workshops)

1: QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) for Agriculture is a 2-hour evidence-based workshop that teaches three steps to help you recognize warning signs, engage in supportive conversations, and connect someone at risk to appropriate care and life-saving resources. This workshop can serve as an introduction to suicide prevention or as a “refresher” for people who have taken a suicide prevention training in the past.  

2: COMET (Changing Our Mental and Emotional Trajectory) is a 2-hour interactive workshop that will teach you how to start a caring conversation with someone who seems sad, withdrawn, or not quite themselves. You’ll learn 7 questions that can help someone who may be moving toward a mental health crisis turn their trajectory back toward a place of wellness 

How do I find a workshop near me and sign up?

Go to QPR/COMET Workshops.

Questions? Contact Meg Moynihan at 651-201-6616 or meg.moynihan@state.mn.us