September 20, 2022
Shout Out: Alicia Boor
The Shout Out this week comes from Elaine Johannes, Kansas Health Foundation Distinguished Professor in Community Health, and is directed to Alicia Boor, Cottonwood District Ag and Natural Resources Agent. Elaine writes:
"Shout Out to Alicia Boor, Cottonwood Extension District agent, who was one of the leaders in agriculture and mental health to discuss the connections between farm stress and suicide rates with representatives of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, at a public forum in Hays. With Alicia were Dania Zolk, KDHE section director of injury and violence prevention; Andrew Brown, KDADS commissioner of behavioral health; and a number of agricultural producers, health providers and policy-makers.
The forum was opened with these facts about the prevalence of suicide in Kansas:
• Kansas' suicide rate is higher than the national average.
• It increased 65 percent between 2001 and 2020.
• Suicide is the second leading cause of death for Kansans ages 10 to 34.
• Suicide in 2020 cost the state $5.7 billion in medical expenses and work loss.
• The highest rates are among white males.
• The suicide rates for rural and frontier counties were 58 percent higher than the state rate.
Alicia shared how KSRE, through the Stress and Resiliency team, provides training in Question, Pursue and Refer (QPR). This one-hour training helps lay people learn techniques to deal with mental health emergencies. She also stated that "Most farmers don't want to admit that they are struggling, but they will move mountains to save their buddy.” Fellow panelist, Lauren Mack, a veterinarian with The Animal Hospital in Plainville and Phillipsburg, called this barrier the "weight of legends."
Alicia’s leadership role in the Stress and Resiliency Team and her work to reduce the stigma of seeking mental health services among farmers/ranchers and their families is greatly appreciated! We all need to model Alicia’s efforts. We can take steps in that direction during September which is Suicide Prevention month. Find out more at https://988lifeline.org/promote-national-suicide-prevention-month/.
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org to reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
Alicia, thanks for all you do for the people of Kansas, our colleagues and K-State Research and Extension.
If you know of a colleague or team of colleagues who deserve recognition for a job well done, why not nominate them for a Shout Out. Simply send their name(s) and the reason for the Shout Out to ksreshoutout@ksu.edu. Also, it would be very helpful if you would put "Shout Out" in the subject line of the email.