THE DEVASTATION CAUSED BY HURRICANE HELENE GENERATED SIGNIFICANT MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES FOR FARMING COMMUNITIES IN WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA (WNC) AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES IN NORTH CAROLINA. POST-HELENE, FARMERS, FARMWORKERS, FORESTERS, OTHER AGRICULTURAL WORKERS, AND THEIR FAMILIES EXPERIENCED EMOTIONAL STRESS AND FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS FROM CROP, LIVESTOCK, AND OTHER FARM LOSSES IN ADDITION TO OTHER NATURAL DISASTER-RELATED PERSONAL TRAGEDIES. THESE CHALLENGES AFFECT NOT ONLY INDIVIDUALS BUT ALSO THE BROADER COMMUNITY, INCLUDING THE REGION'S ECONOMY AND AGRICULTURAL SYSTEMS. ADDRESSING THESE MENTAL HEALTH NEEDS IS ESSENTIAL TO SUPPORTING THE RECOVERY OF AFFECTED COMMUNITIES AND ENSURING THE LONG-TERM STABILITY OF AGRICULTURE IN THE REGION.THE NC AGROMEDICINE INSTITUTE'S NC FARM STRESS PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE RELIEF AND RECOVERY BY OFFERING TARGETED MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT. KEY OBJECTIVES INCLUDE: (1) EXPANDING THE NC FARM STRESS DIRECTORY TO INCLUDE NATURAL DISASTER-RELATED RESOURCES, (2) EXPANDING THE NC FARM HELP LINE TO OFFER 24/7 RESOURCE HELP, CRISIS INTERVENTION, AND EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, (3) TRAINING FARMERS AND OTHER AGRICULTURAL WORKERS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL FIRST AID AND OTHER MENTAL HEALTH LITERACY (4) OFFERING FREE MENTAL HEALTH SESSIONS, AND (5) GENERATING A PROJECT IMPACT REPORT. THIS INITIATIVE IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE EVIDENCE-BASED AND MUCH-NEEDED SUPPORT TO BUILD RESILIENCE AND PROMOTE LONG-TERM RECOVERY OF WNC FARMING COMMUNITIES, WHILE STRENGTHENING THE FOUNDATION FOR FUTURE PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE OF OTHER AGRICULTURAL COMMUNITIES.