Despite a rising trend in farm income over the last 10 years, farmers are experiencing significant uncertainty and stress, says a University of Regina researcher. Dr. Amber Fletcher, speaking to the House of Commons agriculture committee during its study of mental health, said her analysis of farm income between 1981 and 2017 “shows that since […] Read more
Tag Archives mental health
Farmers pushed to breaking point: expert
Suicide prevention is identified as a key way to address the mental health pressures that producers are facing
High stress levels, isolation and lack of access to mental health care are combining to push agricultural producers to their breaking points, according to a mental health expert. Testifying at the House of Commons agriculture committee last week, the president of the Mental Health Commission of Canada said a number of practical measures are required […] Read moreYour most important crop investment
What’s the most important investment you’ll make in your crop this year? You.
MPs study mental health services for farmers
An advocate for better mental health support for farmers says the House of Commons agriculture committee’s decision to study the issue is a good step forward. Kim Keller, a Saskatchewan farmer who co-founded DoMoreAg, said she hopes the committee work will complement research that has already been done, such as that at Ontario’s University of […] Read more
Ag committee to study mental health
The House of Commons agriculture committee has agreed to study rural mental health. Committee members voted unanimously in favour of a motion put forward by Liberal MP Pierre Breton at their Monday meeting. The motion called on the committee to study mental health challenges faced by farmers, ranchers and producers. The committee will meet with […] Read more
An isolating illness: talking about mental health
When Trewett Chaplin is stressed, he puts his head down and focuses on one task that he has to get done that day on his ranch. At 28 years old, Chaplin takes care of 550 head of cattle and 230 head of bison on his ranch near Craik, Sask. He farms by himself and is […] Read more
Feeling stressed? How to cope with the pressures of farming
There are numerous indicators showing that changes are happening in farm business management. Nothing too surprising about that. I experienced one recently when I had the opportunity to facilitate a peer group meeting. There were 12 people: some younger, others seasoned, representing eight farms. The change that I witnessed was the willingness of those at […] Read more
Suffering in silence
John Smith is a farmer in this fictional scenario. He prides himself on being the strong, silent type who provides for his family and minds his own business. But lately, John has been feeling blue. He is uncharacteristically anxious and lacks motivation to do his usual tasks. He yells at his wife and children over […] Read more
