October 31, 2002

Seminars on Rural Families Under Stress Set for November and December

"Families in rural areas continue to face the stresses and challenges associated with uncertain market conditions and the effects of drought stress," says Sean Brotherson, North Dakota State University extension family science specialist, who will lead the seminars. "These seminars are designed to give those who work with rural families strategies to assist them and meet their needs." The seminars called, "Hard Choices in the Heartland: Working with Rural Families Under Stress will be held Thursday, Nov. 21 in Dickinson (Elks Club), Friday, Nov. 22 in Hettinger (Hettinger Research Extension Center) and Friday, Dec. 13 in Mandan (Seven Seas Inn).

"Individuals and families across the great plains continue to deal with the personal, familial, and social impacts of drought and the volatile agricultural economy," Brotherson says. "This seminar will help professionals and others who work with rural families to understand these impacts and learn specific approaches to dealing with issues ranging from generational concerns to family business partnerships to personal anxiety and depression."

The seminar is intended for professionals who work with those in rural communities including; educators, counselors, social workers, health care workers, clergy, attorneys, farm service workers, mental health professionals, extension agents and others. "We feel there is value in communicating these issues to a wide variety of people who are concerned about the continuing impact of agricultural challenges to our rural families and communities," Brotherson says.

Topics to be addressed during the full-day seminar include family and social impacts of rural stress, strategies for reaching out to rural families, rural families and social support, dealing with anxiety and depression, and sharing stories as a healing process. Continuing education credits are available.

Register for the seminar by calling the NDSU Extension Service at (701) 231-8113, by sending a Fax to (701) 231-7174, or by e-mail to theresa.borkowski@ndsu.nodak.edu . Cost of the seminar is $35.00.

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Source: Sean Brotherson, (701) 231-6143, sbrother@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Rich Mattern (701) 231-6136, richard.mattern@ndsu.nodak.edu