Submitted By: Sean Duke, Penn State Extension Marketing/Communications Specialist
Extension professionals, farm service providers, researchers, and agricultural leaders can learn about the emotional impacts of farm depopulation on farmers and service providers, and learn strategies to support mental health during disease outbreaks by attending an upcoming Penn State Extension webinar.
The “Farm Stress Series: Disease Outbreaks and Depopulation” webinar will occur from 11:00 a.m. to noon, May 4.
Disease outbreaks such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) require rapid depopulation, which places significant emotional and psychological strain on farmers, veterinarians, and agricultural service providers, organizers noted.
Drawing upon research from two studies on farmers and veterinarians, this session with Dr. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, I will examine how depopulation affects mental health, identity, and decision-making on the farm. Attendees will gain insight into the lived experience of those directly involved in the depopulation process, including the challenges of moral stress, loss and isolation.
The session will also highlight practical ways to support farmers during and after depopulation events, as well as ways to adapt emergency management frameworks.
Among other topics, participants will learn:
— Understand the mental health impacts of depopulation on farmers and veterinarians.
— Recognize common signs of stress, distress and coping challenges during crises.
— Learn how farm culture and identity shape responses to depopulation and help-seeking.
— Explore practical strategies to support farmers, including communication approaches and emergency management frameworks.
The Farm Stress Team is excited to host Dr. Purc-Stephenson as she is an Applied Social Psychologist and professor at the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus in Alberta, Canada. Dr. Purc-Stephenson is one of the few researchers around the world who has studied the impacts of depopulation on farmers and rural communities.
This event is being offered at no charge. Participants must register by May 4 to receive the link to access the webinar. A link to the recorded webinar will be emailed to registrants within ten business days after the live event. The recording will be accessible for six months from the event date.
More information is available on the Penn State Extension website at https://extension.psu.edu/farm-stress-series-disease-outbreaks-and-depopulation.
