Rural communities including ranchers and farmers face unique stressors that can increase vulnerability to suicide, including geographic isolation, limited access to behavioral health services, financial pressures, stigma surrounding mental health care, and strong cultural expectations of self-reliance. This short workshop will provide an overview of how chronic stressors common in rural settings—such as agricultural uncertainty, economic instability, caregiving burdens, and community role strain—can contribute to suicide risk. The workshop will also highlight community-based approaches, youth mental health strategies, culturally responsive communication strategies, and resources that can help strengthen prevention efforts and support help-seeking in rural populations.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this presentation, participants will:

1. Identify key stressors and risk factors that contribute to suicide vulnerability in rural communities.

2. Recognize warning signs of suicide and understand how rural culture, stigma, and limited access to services influence help-seeking behaviors.

3. Apply practical strategies and community-based approaches to support suicide prevention and promote help-seeking in rural populations.

Presented by:

Brenda Freeman, Ph.D., CPC, LCPC, NCC

Continuing Education Units:

2 CEUs (Includes 2 Suicide Prevention CEUs)

Certification Board Information

This training is approved for continuing education units by the boards listed here. Additional specifications can be found below.

NAADAC (The Association for Addiction Professionals)

Qualifies for NAADAC Credit: No

NBCC (National Board for Certified Counselors)

CASAT has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 6492. Programs that do not qualify for NBCC credit are clearly identified. CASAT is solely responsible for all aspects of the programs. (Continuing education hours and CEU's are synonymous for purposes of issuing CEU's from CASAT Learning)

Qualifies for NBCC Credit: Yes

NCB (Nevada Certification Board)

• Certified Community Health Workers (CHW)

• Certified Prevention Specialist (CPS)

• Birth Doula Certification

• Peer Recovery and Support Specialist Certification and PRSS Supervisors (PRSS(-S))

Presentation materials are not for reproduction or distribution without specific written authorization. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed in our courses are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of CASAT.

Details