Wrasap V (western region agricultural stress assistance partnership, phase 5) is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to supporting the mental wellbeing of farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and…

The Department of Agriculture National Institute of Food and Agriculture awarded $2.352 million to Washington State University on September 30, 2025, to support the Western Region Agricultural Stress Assistance Partnership Phase 5 (WRASAP V), a comprehensive behavioral health initiative for farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and agricultural communities across 13 western states and 4 territories through September 29, 2027, under the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network Competitive Grants Program (CFDA 10.525).

WRASAP V delivers mental health literacy training including Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR) suicide prevention, Mental Health First Aid, and community workshops tailored to youth, aging, beginning, multi-generational, and minority farming populations. The program coordinates quarterly online and in-person network meetings unifying stakeholders, expands outreach through partnerships with commodity organizations and the National Agrability Project, and operates bilingual hotline and crisis support services through sub-recipients Farm Aid and AgriSafe. Curriculum adaptations, peer-led mentoring, and counseling vouchers expand access to behavioral health care. Outreach occurs via trade shows, field days, podcasts, webinars, and Spanish-language social media channels to maximize accessibility across the western region.

Performance occurs in Pullman, Washington, with program delivery across 13 western states and 4 territories through multiple sub-recipients. Farm Aid maintains the Farm Aid Hotline Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–6 p.m. Pacific Time, staffed by trained operators with ongoing support and quarterly trainings. AgriSafe Network operates the AgriStress Helpline as a 24/7 crisis and text line offering communication in 160 languages via voice and 4 languages via text (English, Spanish, Vietnamese, French), with follow-up calls from crisis specialists within 24 hours.

Sub-recipients delivering specialized programming include University of Wyoming Extension (mental health promotion and counseling voucher program support in Wyoming), University of Alaska Fairbanks (network expansion and Mental Health First Aid training in Alaska), University of Idaho (farm stress education, voucher program feasibility research, and pesticide continuing education credit development), University of Nevada, Reno (curricular development for counselors serving farmers and ranchers), Montana State University (research dissemination, Mental Wellness Conversation Curriculum support and facilitation, and farm stress education), University of Arizona (tribal community outreach and resource network expansion), University of Hawaii (peer mentor training, healing practices implementation, podcast development, and mental health vouchers for Hawaiian farmers), Colorado State University (upstream wellness training and provider education), Oregon State University (QPR training, trade show outreach, and direct mail campaign), University of California, Davis (network coordination, quarterly meeting hosting, Spanish translation and interpretation, social media channels, and national conference participation), Rocky Mountain Farmers Union (stress management, substance use, and suicide prevention workshops and peer support trainings in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming), and University of Guam (behavioral health awareness and professional development in the Western Pacific).

This is a project grant under the Farm and Ranch Stress Assistance Network program, which connects farming and ranching individuals to regional stress assistance programs.

Wrasap V (western region agricultural stress assistance partnership, phase 5) is a comprehensive initiative dedicated to supporting the mental wellbeing of farmers, ranchers, farm workers, and agricultural communities across 13 western states and 4 territories. The program is funded by the USDA farm & ranch stress assistance network and coordinated through partnerships with land-grant universities, extension services, commodity organizations, advocacy groups, and health centers.goalsexpand and strengthen regional networks to address farm stress and suicide prevention in culturally and geographically tailored ways.provide education, outreach, and direct resources to bolster resilience and behavioral health among agricultural populations.continuously evaluate strategies and program impact through ongoing data collection and stakeholder feedback.core methodsnetworkingquarterly online and in-person network meetings unify diverse stakeholders to collaborate, share resources, and strategize outreach.internal team meetings offer regular updates and troubleshooting on program activities.expanding outreach through partnerships with the national agrability project, commodity groups, and regional advocates.education and outreachtargeted delivery of mental health literacy trainings such as QPR (suicide prevention), mental health first aid (MHFA), comet, community workshops, and experiential events like pizza 4 producers.outreach via trade shows, field days, podcasts, webinars, social media (including spanish-language channels), and peer support groups. Resources also translated where needed for maximum accessibility.curriculum adaptations for youth, aging, beginning, multi-generational, and minority farmers/farmworkers further extend impact.direct servicesfarm aid and agrisafe provide hotline and crisis support – expanded hours, bilingual operators, and resource navigation.counseling vouchers, mini-grants, and peer-led mentoring increase access to behavioral health care.partners facilitate peer support events (e.g., coffee and connection) and local resilience-building initiatives, notably in underserved states/territories like hawaii, guam, and new mexico.evaluationbaseline and follow-up surveys carried out to understand prominent stressors and refine outreach.impact data, case numbers, referral logs, and stakeholder feedback regularly reported and shared with USDA and collaborators.outcomes and achievementshundreds of farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers reached through gatherings, trainings, and counseling services.enhanced resource clearinghouse (farmstress.US), interactive maps, hotline expansion, and increased bilingual content.educational campaigns reduce stigma and build mental health competencies, with special attention to high-risk communities (veteran farmers, youth, native american, latinx, asian/pacific islander agricultural workers).continuous improvement and adaptation seen through feedback-driven programming, asset-mapping, and professional D, evelopment for staff and community educators.summarywrasap V coordinates a robust multi-state, multi-agency effort to build agricultural community resilience, improve mental health literacy, expand direct support services, and ensure culturally and geographically sensitive programming for farm stress and suicide prevention. Its evidence-based approach is informed by continuous evaluation, broad stakeholder participation, and the lived experience of those within rural and agricultural environments