February 5, 2026, 8:30 AM – 12:15 PM
Fields of Stress: The Hidden Mental Health Burden on America’s Agricultural Heartland
Featuring Keynote Speaker: Will Stutterheim, M.S., LCP (Dept. of Psychology, Fort Hays State University)
Session Information
This year’s symposium, "Fields of Stress: The Hidden Mental Health Burden on America’s Agricultural Heartland," focuses on a critical yet often overlooked challenge: the mental well-being of those within the agricultural community. Given the vital role agriculture plays in our region, we believe this session will provide essential insights for educators supporting people from farming and ranching backgrounds.
We are privileged to feature Will Stutterheim, M.S., LCP, an Instructor at FHSU with over 20 years of experience in mental health therapy and education. Having grown up on a multi-generational farm in Northwest Kansas, Will brings a deeply personal perspective to his clinical expertise. After spending 13 years as a therapist in the rural farming community of Phillipsburg, Kansas, Will specializes in helping families navigate the unique stressors of agricultural life. His presentation will focus on:
- Awareness about agriculture, stress, and mental health
- Skills and strategies to engage an individual who is struggling with their mental health.
Questions? Sohyun Yang (s_yang12@fhsu.edu)
Feel free to download and share the flyer olliff-family-educational-symposium/olliff-family-symposium-2026.pdf