Episode 10: Mike Blecha and Conquering the Narrative with Dan Gates

A packed episode- an update to the rural mental health bill, a visit with tech guru Mike Blecha, and a sit down with Dan Gates about activist pressures on sportsmen and agriculture and how we defeat the narrative together. You're not going to want to miss it! Resources ⁠https://www.thecoffeebreakproject.org/⁠ ⁠https://agrability.colostate.edu/⁠:  The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities, so that they, their families, and their communities continue to succeed in rural America.   ⁠http://www.caamhpforhealth.org/⁠:  Behavioral health vouchers for farmers, ranchers, and rural community members. Good for up to six sessions with a licensed, CAAMHP certified counselor. The program is ag-friendly, remotely accessible, and anonymous.   ⁠https://www.caamhpforhealth.org/family-addiction-workshop⁠:  These workshops provide a supportive environment where parents and other adolescent care givers can work together with a licensed behavioral health professional to identify available resources, learn about addiction, grow in constructive parenting styles specific to addiction, and create safety plans.   ⁠https://www.rd.usda.gov/taxonomy/term/365⁠:  Rural Development USDA is committed to helping improve the economy and quality of life in rural America. Through our programs, we help rural Americans in many ways.   ⁠https://ranchmanagement.com/succession-assets-vs-management/⁠:  Who controls what? How are business decisions made? How do we help the outgoing generation step aside with confidence? ​ ⁠https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/farmer-mental-health#understanding-concerns⁠:  Learn about the mental health challenges that farmers and ranchers face, with information on the root causes of stress, farmer demographics, mental health needs, and barriers to accessing care. Find tools and examples for developing programs to help address farmer mental health. ​ ⁠A STATE OF MIND: CONFRONTING OUR MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS. The Cowboy Code:⁠ In the west, there is a stigma around mental health that can stop people from getting treatment. Some call it the ‘cowboy code’: that you are supposed to pull yourself up by your bootstraps, stuff it inside and move on. There are resources available and sometimes the bravest thing you can do is reach out for help.