The New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) is seeking Letters of Interest from New York State organizations or agencies to offer a peer support intervention to farmers and their families to promote financial and mental wellbeing.

The agricultural industry is essential to the economic health of rural communities, which span 44 of 62 NYS counties. Farmers and agribusinesses continue to navigate disruptions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic, including breakdowns in supply chains, lost sales, cash flow issues, and rising labor costs. The well-documented link between economic crises and stress renders farm workers and families at an increased risk for poor behavioral health outcomes.

The NYS rural communities where farmers live and work face structural inequalities such as provider shortages and high rates of poverty, as well as cultural norms like stigma around mental health and help-seeking. These social determinants drive behavioral health disparities in rural populations, including substance use disorders and suicide fatalities. The burden of suicide across NYS is felt disproportionately in our rural counties, and studies suggest farmers and other workers in the agriculture industry may have an elevated risk for suicide compared to workers in nonfarming occupations.

Therefore, OMH is seeking one organization or agency with capacity to deliver peer-driven, culturally competent services to farmworkers and families, including technical assistance to support business and financial needs and wellness supports to promote mental health needs.

Eligibility Requirements - Eligible Applicants must have the following:

Service Requirements - Applicants must have demonstrated experience delivering free and confidential technical support and wellness support services to owners and workers of farms and agribusinesses and their families.

Staffing and Training Requirements - Applicants must have multi-disciplinary staffing comprised of:

• Peers and other credible messengers in the farm and agriculture communities with subject matter expertise in business management
• Master's-level social workers and/or counselors
• Culturally competent staff who not only understand the unique risk factors in rural areas, including stigma around mental health and help-seeking, but also leverage protective factors such as close-knit neighbors and faith-based communities
• At least one in-house staff member trained in safeTALK or other suicide prevention training to identify and connect people with thoughts of suicide to life affirming help

Deliverables:

• Operate statewide helpline to provide assistance and referrals for economic and social-emotional distress, available during normal business hours with afterhours answering service
• Provide consulting services with capability for hybrid (in-person and virtual) site visits to home and farms around NYS. Consulting services to include, but not limited to:
  • Technical assistance related to financial management, business planning and decision making, and methods to improve farm//agribusiness viability
  • Mental health wellness services, e.g. stress management techniques, communication and conflict resolution, navigating challenges in family or other relationships
• Outreach to rural communities statewide, including providing workshops, trainings, and targeted outreach conferences
• Develop and submit workplans
• Track and report activities, e.g. units of services , number of individuals served, referrals to mental health services
• Submit annual reports demonstrating program outcomes

Please send your Letter of Interest to Carol Swiderski via email at carol.swiderski@omh.ny.gov . Please indicate "Farmers Supporting Farmers" in the Subject Line.

Letter of Interest are due by FRIDAY, JUNE 23, 2023 at 4:00 PM.

Please note that this is a Solicitation of Interest ONLY. It does not guarantee an award or a contract.