2023 MN Rural Health Lifetime Achievement Award - MDH Office of Rural Health and Primary Care

Minnesota Department of Health sent this bulletin at 11/16/2023 11:50 AM CST

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2023 Minnesota Rural Health Lifetime Achievement Award

Every year the Minnesota Rural Health Awards are given to individuals and groups who have made a significant contribution to improving rural health in Minnesota. These awards are announced to coincide with Minnesota Rural Health Day, Thursday, November 16, 2023. MDH Press Release

Ted MatthewsThis year, Ted Matthews, director of Minnesota Rural Mental Health, Hutchinson, is the recipient of the 2023 Minnesota Rural Health Lifetime Achievement Award for his work in providing mental health support to farmers across the state. 

Matthews knows farming can be a very stressful occupation for farmers and their families and he also knows how much stigma there is about receiving help for mental health issues within farming communities. Matthews is a rural mental health practitioner with over 30 years of experience in counseling people in rural areas. He brings a deep understanding of farming culture to his practice and has extensive experience in the areas of PTSD, crisis intervention, family issues, suicidology and domestic abuse. Funded through the Minnesota Department of Agriculture, Matthews has been the only state-funded psychologist for farmers for almost two decades. This unique program has been successful for a number of reasons:

  • there is no paperwork and no fee for farmers and their families; 
  • a diagnosis of mental illness is not a prerequisite for receiving services; and
  • Matthews understands the unique emotional, economic, social, psychological and geographic issues and challenges within the ag industry.

Like his clients, Matthews is always on the job. He travels across the state to meet with people and is available for consultation by phone 24/7. His work has helped normalize mental wellness as a goal for everyone and other states are now interested in this model of care for their own farming communities.

The 2023 MN Rural Health Award recipients will also be honored in person at the 2023 MN Rural Health Conference. The conference is hosted by the National Rural Health Resource Center, the Minnesota Department of Health, and the Minnesota Rural Health Association.

For more information, contact health.orhpc@state.mn.us

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