School counselors, law enforcement, clergy, public health professionals, teachers and others who work with people will have an opportunity to learn about mental and behavioral health during a workshop the North Dakota State University Extension Service is hosting Thursday, March 29.

The three-hour Behavioral Health for Your Family and Community workshop will be offered through the Interactive Video Network on the NDSU campus in Fargo and at several sites across the state, including McKenzie County.  The local site will be the Commission Room in the McKenzie County Courthouse.  The event starts at 9 a.m. Central time and is free of charge.

"We want people to be more confident in their ability to spot problems and get individuals the help they need to feel whole and health," says Kim Bushaw, Extension family science specialist.

Behavioral health specialists from Prairie St. John's in Fargo will present the program. The speakers and their topics are:

• Jeana Scheffler, an adult inpatient therapist - geriatric mental health. Participants will learn typical behavioral health warning sings, barriers to care, risk factors, resources and care strategies for the geriatric population and will gain clearer understanding of mental health concerns facing the rapidly growing older adult population.
• Monica McConkey, director of business development - emotional stress on the farm. Participants will learn to identify stressors related to a farm crisis, becoming award of specific warning signs related to a behavioral health crises, and learn important skills to communicate support and access help for individuals of concern.
• Beth Brantner, a licensed clinical and addiction counselor - substance use issues and concerns, including current substance use trends in North Dakota, signs and symptoms of substance use, prevention efforts and how to address substance use in your community.

"Mental/behavioral health is an important topic, especially with difficulties in farming and ranching, the uneven nature of the oil industry and the state's budget cuts," McConkey says, "Many families are anxious about what will happen next to their farms, ag-related jobs, income, savings and futures."

A certificate will be available for those who complete the workshop.

For more information, please contact the NDSU Extension Service in McKenzie County at 701-444-3451 or email Marcia Hellandsaas, NDSU Extension Agent/McKenzie County,