Colorado will host its first Agricultural Behavioral Health Summit in Monte Vista on November 13 and 14. The event is organized by the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA), the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA), and the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (RMFU). It is designed to address behavioral health challenges in agricultural and rural communities, where access to mental health services is often limited due to isolation, financial difficulties, and a shortage of providers familiar with the specific needs of agricultural workers.
Robert Sakata, CDA’s Senior Water Policy Advisor and leader of the Agricultural Behavioral Health Work group, stated, “We know that our agricultural producers and workers face high degrees of stress and uncertainty in their jobs and we know that behavioral health resources are lacking in our rural communities. This summit provides an opportunity for behavioral health organizations to work together to fix those treatment gaps and expand their toolbox when it comes to supporting rural agricultural populations.”
The summit will feature sessions focused on understanding the unique challenges faced by agricultural workers, methods to improve connections and behavioral health outcomes, and strategies for integrating support into organizational structures. There will also be opportunities for networking and discussion among organizations serving these communities. Key speakers will include Governor Jared Polis, Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, BHA Commissioner Dannette Smith, and Commissioner of Agriculture Kate Greenberg.
In addition to the summit sessions, attendees and members of the agricultural community are invited to a social event and dinner at the Farm Brewery in Alamosa on November 13.
The Department of Agriculture has made supporting the emotional and mental wellbeing of those in the agricultural sector a core focus of its long-term strategy. The summit is part of ongoing efforts by the CDA and its partners to enhance mental health resources and support for producers and rural residents.
