Agriculture community invited to ‘talk it out’ about mental health via free online platform

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Published: August 1, 2024

The Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag) launched its #TalkItOut campaign today to draw attention to the need to talk more about mental health, including through its online platform, AgTalk. Photo: Do More Ag/Facebook

Farmers and other folks working in agriculture are invited to ‘talk it out’ about mental health via a free, online support platform from the Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag).

“None of us have to be alone with our thoughts. There is power in connecting with each other, in finding the right support, and it all starts with a conversation,” said Lauren Martin, chair of Do More Ag’s board of directors, in a news release this morning.

AgTalk is an anonymous, free online platform in which people can discuss mental health and find support from their peers. It’s moderated by mental health professionals.

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In the news release, Do More Ag said a recent national survey of farmer mental health, led by researcher Andria Jones-Bitton, found that while 58 per cent of farmers meet the criteria for anxiety, and 75 per cent reported mid to high stress levels, 40 per cent are hesitant to seek professional help due to the fear of judgment.

Further research found that mental health stigma and lack of anonymity were the main barriers to producers seeking help.

This highlights the need for open conversation about mental health in agriculture, the organization said.

Do More Ag launched its #TalkItOut campaign today, which will combine social media outreach, advertising and print media, to draw more attention to the issue.

Find the AgTalk platform on Do More Ag’s website.

About the author

Geralyn Wichers

Geralyn Wichers

Digital editor, news and national affairs

Geralyn graduated from Red River College's Creative Communications program in 2019 and launched directly into agricultural journalism with the Manitoba Co-operator. Her enterprising, colourful reporting has earned awards such as the Dick Beamish award for current affairs feature writing and a Canadian Online Publishing Award, and in 2023 she represented Canada in the International Federation of Agricultural Journalists' Alltech Young Leaders Program. Geralyn is a co-host of the Armchair Anabaptist podcast, cat lover, and thrift store connoisseur.

 

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