November 28, 2002

Seminar on Rural Families Under Stress Set for December 13

Families in rural areas continue to face stresses and challenges associated with uncertain market conditions and drought according to Sean Brotherson, North Dakota State University extension family science specialist. How those who work with families can most effectively assist them and address their needs is the topic of an upcoming training seminar sponsored by the NDSU Extension Service and North Dakota State University.

The seminar, Hard Choices in the Heartland: Working with Rural Families Under Stress, will be lead by Brotherson and will feature Val Farmer, rural psychologist, and Tom Carlson, marriage and family therapy specialist.. The seminar will be held on Friday, Dec. 13, 2002 at the Seven Seas Inn in Mandan, ND.

"Individuals and families across the great plains region 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 who may be interested. "We really feel there is value in communicating these issues to a wide variety of persons 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 will 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 will be available to those who are interested.

Register for the seminar by calling the NDSU Extension Service at (701) 231-8113, by sending a fax to (701) 231-7174, or by sending an e-mail to theresa.borkowski@ndsu.nodak.edu . Cost of the seminar is $35.

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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