September Speaker Series: Suicide Prevention as Part of On-Farm Safety

Our September Speaker Series coincides with September as National Suicide Prevention Month. Suicide rates among farmers and ranchers are 6X higher than the national average. Daniela Branson, a fifth-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of Wyoming, will present research into reducing practical capability for suicide, or the real-world factors that make suicidal behavior more feasible or accessible. Practical capability includes access to lethal means, familiarity or knowledge of suicidal methods, and situational opportunity or privacy to act during periods of crisis. Farmers and ranchers can incorporate methods for reducing practical capability into their farm safety plans to help reduce on-farm and ranch suicides.

Suicide prevention is important to consider in agricultural and rural communities, where individuals can face unique environmental and occupational stressors alongside barriers to mental health support. Financial strain, unpredictable weather and agricultural markets, physical injury, geographic isolation, limited access to care, and cultural expectations surrounding toughness and self-reliance may all contribute to increased vulnerability during times of distress.

At the same time, agricultural and rural communities possess profound strengths that are central to suicide prevention efforts, including resilience, strong community identity, practical problem-solving skills, deep family and social ties, and a culture of supporting neighbors during difficult times. By integrating these community strengths into prevention efforts, suicide prevention can move beyond crisis response alone and toward approaches that foster emotional resilience, strengthen connectedness, promote safe environments, and increase opportunities for support before a suicidal crisis becomes fatal.

Daniela Branson is a fifth-year doctoral student in clinical psychology at the University of Wyoming whose research focuses on suicide prevention and the transition from suicidal thoughts to suicidal behavior. Her work particularly examines the capability for suicide. Her work particularly examines practical capability for suicide, including how access to lethal means, environmental factors, and community contexts influence suicide risk in rural populations. Daniela has clinical experience working with individuals experiencing suicidality and is passionate about community-centered, humanistic approaches to prevention, education, and advocacy.

Our speaker series will happen virtually, Thursday, October 1, from 6:30 - 7:30 pm. Zoom links will be distributed to attendees via registration and reminder emails before the event.