Help is a phone call away for livestock producers worried about
dwindling feed supplies, mounting debt and a poor harvest.
That anxiety is expected to worsen this winter.
“There will be individuals in all commodity groups who will be feeling
stress,” said Tim O’Byrne. He is fielding calls and helping people
through the Alberta Farm Animal Care Association, or AFAC.
Calls to the AFAC alert line reporting cases of livestock in distress
have often turned into lengthy conversations where worried people
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unburden themselves.
“Mental health of the caretaker is fundamental to the care of the
livestock,” said O’Byrne.
A similar situation has happened with Alberta Agriculture’s information
centre, when farmers seeking production help start talking about the
seriousness of their situations.
These groups have set up phone links to stress lines or other agencies
that can offer more specific help.
AFAC encourages anyone to call if they have concerns about livestock
well-being. It also said it will ensure that producers in need of
crisis support receive knowledgeable counsel and connections to other
resources.
Lynn Mohninger of Alberta mental health said more women than men are
calling the stress lines. Men are more likely to call Alberta
Agriculture looking for production and financial information, while
their wives worry about the men and family.
Farm stress teams rather than mental health programs are working in
communities to provide confidential, non-threatening help. For many
people, there is a stigma attached to getting help for anxiety.
Stress appears in many forms.
Already rocky marriages may splinter. Other families are facing
adjustment period stress.
One or both spouses may have to find work off the farm. Families are
disrupted if children are alone or the spouse has to move to a job
elsewhere.
Mohninger is making presentations this winter to explain where help is
available and promote a theme of neighbours helping neighbours. Some
communities already have support teams set up.
Saskatchewan’s help line has been quiet so far, said Ken Imhoff of
Saskatchewan Agriculture, which operates that province’s stress line.
Imhoff expects calls to the stress line to increase along with
connections that link people to resources for such things as livestock
in distress.
“During a disaster, people will call about tangible things,” said
Imhoff. Later, calls come from people who have finished the farm work
and have time to dwell on their problems.
Those seeking help may call these toll-free numbers in their provinces:
Manitoba: 866-367-3276
Saskatchewan: 800-667-4442 or the connections line: 866-0680-0006
Alberta Mental Health help line: 877-303-2642.
Alberta Animal Care Foundation alert line: 800-506-2273.
Alberta Agriculture Call Centre: 866-882-7677
