The eight-week Wellbeing Course is offered through the University of Regina’s Online Therapy Unit and tailored for ag
When Cynthia Beck faced her own mental health challenges on the farm, she discovered a lack of support for people in agriculture. Years later, she’s providing that needed support through her research as a clinical psychology master’s student at the University of Regina. “The people working in agriculture, that’s the population who feed us, and […] Read moreTag Archives mental health
Farmer shares struggles with mental health
Lesley Kelly learned from her dad what it really means to be a successful farmer. “He told me that if you want to be successful, it isn’t about how much land you have or the type of equipment you drive,” she said. “It’s about how we work together, and how we take care of each […] Read more
Important to act on information about suicidal thoughts
Q: Last Thursday our daughter came home from school very upset. Apparently, one of her classmates took our daughter aside and told her that she was seriously considering suicide. The young girl in question insisted that our daughter swear confidence. This was to be a secret. In fact, our daughter tried to honour the commitment […] Read more
Mental health has economic roots
Prince Edward Island agriculture minister Bloyce Thompson said recently that more Island farmers are reaching out for mental health support through the P.E.I. Farmers Assistance Program. He noted that the number of calls in 2019 was 140, increasing to 293 in 2020. Thompson said navigating a hot, dry summer during the COVID-19 pandemic was difficult […] Read more
Exercise important way to fight depression
Q: Early last fall our son was discharged from the psychiatric unit of a larger hospital in the city. He was 32 at the time, old enough and mature enough to be on his own, but we were worried about his well-being and asked him to stay with us until he was more settled and […] Read more
Mental health app unveiled in Sask.
A recent demonstration shows how a program developed in the province can help farmers manage their stress levels
Avail: a mental health app was created with farmers and ranchers in mind. It’s a comprehensive and personalized health tool to encourage and help producers manage their stress. Aptly named, the mobile app was officially announced and demonstrated during a recent webinar. Bridges Health is a wellness firm based in Saskatoon with a focus on […] Read more
Governments must continue to improve supports for mental health
Government efforts to improve mental health supports for Canadians should be improved. Every year, Bell “Let’s Talk Day” is welcomed with kind messages from people, including politicians, encouraging folks to take care of themselves and each other. Agriculture minister Marie-Claude Bibeau did just that this Jan. 28. In a news release, Bibeau says workers in […] Read more
App offers mental health support
A province-wide Innovation Challenge this spring in Saskatchewan has led to an app to help farmers with their mental health. Bridges Health in Saskatoon was chosen from among technology companies that offered solutions to farmers and ranchers. The app, called Avail, will link people to supports they need anywhere and any time. The government noted […] Read more
Immediate action uncommon with farm stress
Anxiety and depression are the most seen mental health issues facing today’s farmers, but many don’t seek help till later
Farming is a stressful business, and 2020 is shaping up to be a doozy. A dry summer across a good part of the Prairies last year was followed by a delayed harvest due to excess moisture in fall. That led to poor yields and crop left unharvested over winter in some areas. Then came the […] Read more
Loss of farm legacy called major suicide factor
Ontario hog producer tells his story of mental anguish and how one phone call helped pull him back from the brink
Just before Stewart Skinner planned to kill himself, he made a phone call. It saved his life. The Ontario hog farmer was in severe mental anguish as he faced the spectre of losing a farm that had been in his family for six generations. He saw only one way to stop the pain. “I am […] Read more
