After Suicide, a Lesson in Loss and Resiliency to Help Others

Living with loss and vowing to help others so they never have to experience this pain is what gets Jennifer Webster through her grief after losing her father, Brian Webster, to suicide last year. The Wisconsin Farm Center’s Karen Endres met up with Jennifer and her other guest Sara Kohlbeck at an event in Baldwin, Wisconsin, to help educate our community, including healthcare providers, about farmers’ unique mental health needs and to kick off the new Western Wisconsin Farmer Angel Network. Sara shared her research on why farmers are at a higher risk for suicide and how we can develop more prevention measures. Jennifer shared her personal story about losing her dad and her mission to help other farmers.Experiencing a challenge on the farm? Contact the Wisconsin Farm Center! With more than a hundred years of collective agriculture experience, the Wisconsin Farm Center team offers free and confidential financial and transition planning services, conflict mediation, veterinary diagnostic analysis, and more. They can be reached at 800-942-2474 or [email protected]. More information on programs and services is available at https://farmcenter.wi.gov. If you are experiencing increased stress, depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, or just need a welcoming ear to talk to, please contact the free and confidential 24/7 Wisconsin Farmer Wellness Helpline at 888-901-2558 for immediate support. In-person and tele-counseling sessions are also available by request.