July eNewsletter
A note from our Executive Director
Peak Summer
We have reached “peak summer” – the point when the joy of sun and warmth and prolific gardens hits our lives. These are the days we look forward to in the depths of icy January, in the muddy days of March, and many points along the way. Many of us try to spend as much time out-of-doors as possible. We may not realize it but nature can have a profound impact on our mental health. In this newsletter, two of our talented staff talk about how getting outside can help create calm.
Peak summer also means that our farmers are out and about – baling hay, picking sweet corn, filling roadside stands, and so much more. Our farmers help to not only feed our communities but, for many of us, they are our neighbors, family, and friends. So many of us though do not even begin to grasp the tremendous strain they may be under. In this issue, we take a moment to recognize the emotional stress farming can bring and the impact it has on farmers.
As always, I cannot express enough how grateful we are to you, our partners and our donors. Your support allows us to work with 4,500 clients a year. Thank you.
Best wishes,
Michael
Nature’s Impact on Mental Health
The Family Counseling Center of Fulton County’s staff is sharing insight on how being in nature can positively impact mental health, including anxiety and depression. Studies from around the globe have shown that even as little as 10 or 20 minutes a day spent outdoors can reduce levels of anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses, allowing your brain to “calm” or relax itself because it is away from distractions and stressors.
Focus on Farmers
We are surrounded by the beautiful vistas of farmland. Fields green with corn and hay and dotted by dairy cows. Recently, we took a look at the unique stressors that affect the mental health of farmers.