May is Mental Health Awareness Month

As any farmer or rancher can tell you, farm life can be demanding and stressful. It has reached a critical stage with pandemic impacts on top of natural disasters, extreme weather events, financial pressures due to fluctuating commodity prices, labor shortages, trade disruptions, and other factors over the past several years. Given these ongoing challenges, it’s no surprise that more farmers and farm families are experiencing stress and mental health concerns.

"A healthy farm or ranch is nothing without a healthy you" 

If you or someone you know is struggling with anxiety, depression or another mental health challenge, you are not alone. The Western Regional Agriculture Stress Assistance Program (WRASAP), has created a resource clearinghouse to improve access to mental health resources that are available in your local area and state.

Fighting Fires Together 

Weyerhaeuser has partnered with  Firefighter Behavioral Health Alliance to provide specialized support and mental health resources for wildland firefighters. Addressing mental health challenges without stigma is critical to keeping firefighters safe, and the Fighting Fires Together campaign is designed to provide an important platform to amplify education and resources available for wildland firefighters and their families in the Pacific Northwest.

Pathways to Excellence 

Looking for a great career opportunity? Whether you're starting to think about career options or looking to change careers, Washington community and technical colleges have the agriculture and natural resource programs to support your pathway to a high-demand career in agriculture and natural resources!