SASKATOON (Staff) – “Important people” in Saskatchewan are telling the province’s deputy minister of agriculture they don’t like to see the government’s farm stress line advertised because “it’s depressing.”
Hartley Furtan told a rural health and safety conference: “Maybe the extension work of the future will be working with farmers on how to manage your farm in a safe way and a more sustainable, environmental way. But right now, it’s not heading that way.”
Stress counsellor Nikki Gerard told him the agriculture department shouldn’t feel shame for having the line, nor keep it in the closet.
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“We’re glad the farm stress line is in the department of agriculture,” added Noreen Johns, executive secretary of the Saskatchewan Women’s Agricultural Network.
Won’t disappear
The strain suffered by rural people is not going away, Mae Dean told a recent joint convention of Alberta Women’s Institutes and Women of Unifarm in Olds.
“Stressful situations are everywhere,” she said.
As a graduate student in rural sociology at the University of Alberta, Dean has examined the unique stress placed on farmers and their families in modern times.
Manitoba soon on board
To extend a helping hand, stress lines have been established in Saskatchewan and Alberta. Manitoba is hoping to get a farm stress line soon.
The stress lines aren’t being ignored. Farmers are using the service to get answers to questions about legal, financial and emotional problems. The toll-free phone lines are operated by volunteers and can refer people to the appropriate agencies or just offer a friendly ear.
“Farmers want to talk to farmers. They want to talk with someone who has the same kind of problem,” said Florence Trautmann of Women of Unifarm.
In Alberta, the Hope line can be reached at 1-800-661-8572. In Saskatchewan, call the stress line at 1-800-667-4442.
