There’s a common saying in agricultural communities that goes ‘if you ate today, thank a farmer’. If you see a farmer that looks like they’re not having a great day, you might want to consider more than a hug.
Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AWO) will be hosting a series of mental health literacy workshops called ‘In The Know’ for farmers and the agricultural community with three in-person sessions scheduled for February along with two virtual provincial sessions scheduled for February 12 and March 26. The four-hour workshops will cover topics of stress, depression, anxiety, substance use and how to start a conversation around mental well-being. They’re facilitated by a Canadian Mental Health Association mental health professional who will use ‘real-life’ examples from the agricultural community.
Michelle deNijs, a communications officer with AWO, said the program was initially developed by mental health professionals and researchers from the University of Guelph who consulted farmers to ensure it would meet the needs of that community.
“The program was specifically designed to fill a gap in mental health education in the agricultural community,” she said. “The intention of this program has always been to serve farmers and those in the agriculture community.”
Statistics provided from the University of Guelph indicate that 76 per cent of farmers reported experiencing moderate to high stress, and 68 per cent of farmers are more susceptible than the general population to chronic stress, which can lead to physical and mental illness.
“In terms of self-harm, the study also showed that farmers are two times more likely to experience suicidal ideation than the general population,” deNijs said. “One in four farmers surveyed felt their life was not worth living, wished they were dead, or thought of taking their own life in the last 12 months.”
Additional data on the AWO website that promotes ‘In The Know’ shows that 35 per cent of farmers meet the classification of depression and 58 per cent meet it for anxiety. While farming can be a rewarding career, deNijs classified it as a high-pressure vocation.
“It’s demanding work, and farmers are often faced with uncertainties based on weather, biosecurity threats and market volatility,” she said. “WIth these unique pressures, finding the right support can be very difficult. That’s what makes our programs important – they’re all delivered by people that have existing backgrounds or training in agriculture, to ensure individuals are being met with the appropriate support response.”
Agribusiness could be in line to take a hard hit if the United States follows through with their proposed tariffs, and deNijs said the AWO has the resources to draw on to assist those who need it in dealing with the up-and-down nature of the situation.
“Our strongest resource for these times of uncertainty is the Farmer Wellness Initiative, a free support line that offers unlimited counselling to farmers, their families and anyone who works in agriculture within Ontario,” she said. “It’s available 365 days a year in English, French and Spanish. Callers will be connected with a counsellor that has training or an existing background in agriculture, and callers will receive support for as long as they need.”
Some steps that deNijs encourages farmers and their families take to improve and sustain their mental health include:
- Taking short rest breaks throughout the work day
- Focusing on talking to yourself positively to counter negative thought patterns
- Taking care of physical health by staying hydrated, nourished, active and getting proper sleep to maintain mental health
- Staying connected with your personal network and reaching out for support instead of facing challenges alone
Those interested in signing up for one of the virtual sessions can do so at the Agriculture Wellness Ontario website, where they can also find access to assistance should they require it.