In 2012, as part of its 75th anniversary, the Association of University Presses revived the idea of a University Press Week to recognize the impact that a global community of university presses has on every one of us. This year, blog tour posts will examine ways that university presses Step UP to educate and enlighten, motivate and inspire, support and act, using some common interrogatives. Today, Acquisitions Editor Andrea Gapsch has taken some time to reflect on WHAT Purdue University Press does to #StepUP.
Purdue University Press StepsUP by publishing books that provide innovative research on mental health. Two of our publications this fall highlight our dedication to putting out material that address the current mental health crisis.
Meditations on Farming: The Agrarian Drive, Stress, and Mental Health, Michael R. Rosmann
Farmers often view themselves as rugged, self-reliant, tough individuals, but a stiff upper lip and stoic look can only get you so far. In these essays, Rosmann explores why people are drawn to farming and how these same traits can lead to devastating behavioral health issues.
Rosmann is a unique writer who can relate to agriculture producers, as he is a farmer himself who knows the lifestyle and can speak authentically from experience. Yet he’s also a clinical psychologist, academic, and author.
Endorsed by the executive director of Farm Aid, this is a humorous, approachable book about a very serious and sad topic that often flies under the radar: the high rate of suicide among farmers and ranchers. While mental health awareness and suicide prevention have made enormous strides in so many avenues, the stigma around discussing mental health issues remains. Through publishing this work, Purdue University Press draws attention to the mental health crisis that food producers face.
Animal-Assisted Counseling and Psychotherapy: A Clinician’s Guide, Linda Chassman Craddock and Ellen Kinney Winston
Our New Directions in the Human-Animal Bond series has thoroughly documented the reciprocal benefits of nurturing human and animal relationships. Other titles in this series have explored the benefits of including animals in mental health therapies and interventions, but now we are proud to offer an accessible guidebook for mental health practitioners interested in incorporating animal assisted counseling and psychology in their clinical practice.
Craddock and Winston answer commonly asked questions, provide legal and ethical guidance for considering the animal and client’s welfare while working together, and include a thorough appendix with treatment goals and objectives. This book provides an excellent resource for counselors who treat a variety of behavioral health issues including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and domestic violence. Unlike other books, their approach isn’t limited to the traditional therapy dog, but also includes resources for implementing therapy cats, horses, and even farm animals.
You can pre-order Animal-Assisted Counseling and Psychotherapy or purchase Meditations on Farming or any Purdue University Press publication by ordering from our website. Get 30% off using the code PURDUE30 at checkout.