The Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has officially launched a new initiative aimed at improving mental health access in the state’s rural areas. The first meeting of the Agricultural Behavioral Health Work Group was held on December 9, marking the beginning of a collaborative effort between the CDA, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), and the Behavioral Health Administration (BHA). This partnership is focused on addressing the long-standing gap in mental health services in rural communities, which make up a significant portion of Colorado.
The Ag Behavioral Health Work Group’s primary goal is to improve access to mental and behavioral health resources for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers and their families across the state. The work group is tasked with identifying challenges, compiling best practices, and engaging stakeholders to help guide the state’s efforts in providing better behavioral health care in these communities.
Robert Sakata, CDA’s Water Policy Advisor and co-chair of the work group, expressed enthusiasm about the group’s diverse membership and public interest in the initiative. “During our first meeting, I was in awe of the vast geographical and experiential diversity of the work group members, and I was thrilled by the general public interest in the process,” Sakata said. “I think it is a reflection of the need in our rural communities and the willingness of people to step up and help.”
The work group’s focus will include developing strategies to deliver culturally competent behavioral health services, reducing stigma around seeking help, and promoting peer support groups. It will also assess existing gaps in services and recommend legislative or policy changes to better support rural communities.
The Ag Behavioral Health Work Group is scheduled to meet monthly, with the next meeting set for January 28 at 1:00 p.m. These virtual meetings will take place every fourth Tuesday of the month, providing a platform for members and subject matter experts to discuss issues like mental health care access, service provision, and cultural considerations in rural areas.
The group comprises 14 members, including experts in agriculture and behavioral health, along with representatives from the CDA, CDPHE, and BHA. The initiative was formed through Senate Bill 24-055 and is slated for a sunset review in 2029.
The work group’s findings and recommendations will be reported to the CDA and BHA, with a focus on creating legislative and policy solutions to improve mental health care for agricultural workers and their families in Colorado’s rural communities.
Related topics:
