Farmers are more isolated than ever before, not only by distance, but also by the busyness of neighbours. That’s letting some crises occur just down the road with nobody realizing. “We tend to be so busy that we don’t stop necessarily to talk to our neighbours on the road,” said Roberta Galbraith, a Minnedosa, Man., […] Read more
Tag Archives mental health — page 6
Mental health key to successful farm succession
Farmer finds the tools that help her cope with depression are also useful as she and her husband plan their retirement
STROME, Alta. — Having the taxes organized and the yard in good shape are important when planning a farm retirement or succession plan, but just as important is open communication and good mental and emotional health. Farm transitions are hard and the family needs to have all the skills to cope, said Doreen Blumhagen of […] Read more
Network prioritizes farmers’ mental health
The mental health of farmers and ranchers is a key focus of a new program developed amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Sask AG Matters Network was formed by professional researchers from the University of Saskatchewan, the University of Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the University of Manitoba and the Saskatchewan Health Authority. It aims to provide mental wellness […] Read more
Study aims to better understand farm stress
University of Alberta researchers will focus on producers’ specific needs of care and look for the best ways to access it
A new University of Alberta study aims to build understanding of the stresses that agricultural producers face when it comes to mental health. Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, a psychology professor at U of A, said the release of a recent national study revealed producers are experiencing rates of depression, anxiety and chronic stress well above the national […] Read more
Mental health programs offered to communities
Do More Agriculture Foundation offers programs such as Mental Health First Aid, In the Know and Talk, Ask, Listen
Applications for the Do More Agriculture Foundation’s Community Fund are now open and available for organizations looking to bring mental health education and training to their neighbourhood. Megz Reynolds, executive director of the foundation, said mental health programs such as Mental Health First Aid, In the Know, and Talk, Ask, Listen could help address struggles […] Read more
Keep eye on the future following marriage-ending affair
Q: My wife finally had enough of my cheating and filed for divorce a few years ago. I am left without a home and only limited time to be with our three kids. I don’t eat well, seldom get a great night of sleep and wish that I had not been so stupid. How do […] Read more
Suicidal thoughts high among farmers
A recent study from Ontario’s University of Guelph has found nearly one-third of farmers have had thoughts of suicide in the last 12 months. The startling numbers are more than two times higher than the general Canadian population. Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton, along with postdoctorate research associate Dr. Briana Hagen and master’s candidate student Rochelle Thompson, […] Read more
Multiple challenges put farmers’ mental health at risk
It’s been a tough 12 months for Western Canada’s farmers and ranchers, some of whom have gone from drought to flooding in the past year with little reprieve as they lurch from one natural disaster to another. The weather is only one of a long list of challenges denting the mental veneer of producers, said […] Read more
Campaign encourages farmers to ask for help
Radio segments, podcasts and social media will be used to help producers start conversations about their mental health
A new awareness campaign wants to help farmers overcome their reluctance to talk about their mental health. Embracing the Awkward is about starting conversations that can be challenging for many producers because it’s not something they grew up doing, said Megz Reynolds, executive director of the Do More Agriculture Foundation. “Especially in agriculture, there’s such […] Read more
Mental health starts with the kids
Whitney Larson and her husband, Bart, have been practising no-till on their land to conserve moisture. Their farm in northwestern Kansas has experienced extreme drought for four consecutive years. Their irrigation pivots have been the only saving grace for some of their crops, including corn, sorghum and winter wheat, which they grow near Sharon Springs, […] Read more
