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Tag Archives mental health — page 3

David Sullivan addresses students at the University of Guelph’s Ridgetown Campus.
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Farm safety alliance focuses on next generation

Organization delivers health and safety messaging built on peer-based sharing

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Delivery of health and safety education aimed at the next generation in agriculture began in 2017 and now gets input from around the world. The Ag Health and Safety Alliance is a non-profit organization with team members from the U.S., Canada and Australia and has a program model adapted for Denmark, Sweden, Romania and Nigeria. […] Read more
The Bergsma family hope their charity, Three Oaks Cabin, can prevent other families from dealing with the devastating loss from suicide.
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Three Oaks Cabin offers respite for farmer mental health

Southwestern Ontario family turns loss of son into an opportunity to help others

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Dalles Bergsma was a born farmer.  As a six-year-old, he used his savings to buy chickens and launch an egg business, and 12 years later, he owned his first farm, a 1,600-head hog finishing operation.  “He tried to buy it the week before (he turned 18). We did all the paperwork with the real estate […] Read more
Becky Higgs speaks to a group of farmers at the launch of the SHED Talk project about how in-person sessions where farmers can share experiences with one another can help ease social and physical isolation.
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Farmer meetings aim to reduce isolation and stress

SHED Talk project aims to generate grassroots support networks

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Goderich-based non-profit Gateway Rural Health has launched a farmer meeting series to build grassroots mental health support networks in rural Ontario.  The Sustaining Healthy Farms Through Empowerment and Dedication, or “SHED Talk” project, is a series of interactive discussion sessions for members of the farming community. The sessions feature speakers covering different aspects of mental […] Read more
Both women and men who farm have worse mental health than the general population, according to an updated survey from University of Guelph researchers.
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Farmer mental health worsened during COVID-19 pandemic

National survey findings reflect significant concerns and need for more mental health interventions

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Canadian farmers have poorer mental health and more substance abuse than people in the general population and that hasn’t improved in the last five years, according to survey data recently released by researchers at the University of Guelph.  Scores in anxiety, depression, perceived stress, emotional exhaustion and cynicism (two components of burnout), alcohol use and […] Read more
Farmers face a number of uncontrollable factors that can lead to high rates of depression, anxiety, even suicide. (Eclipse_images/E+/Getty Images)

Free mental health training, workshops offered for farmers

Do More Ag Foundation expands programming available

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Farmers seeking mental health support will have access to free training and community workshops for the fourth year in a row via the Do More Agriculture Foundation (DMAF) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC). Factors such as financial insecurity, uncontrollable weather and isolating working conditions contribute to high depression, anxiety and suicide rates among farmers, according […] Read more
Farmers are resilient and have a high success rate if they’re able to implement the right strategies and tools.
News

National Farmers Mental Health Alliance seeks to support farmers, rural social support systems

New group offers ag-minded and farm-lived experience training to support farmer mental health in a more relatable approach

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The newly formed National Farmers Mental Health Alliance (NFMHA) offers a way to help farmers get support that understands the unique lifestyle and circumstances of farming.  “We’re combining real farm-lived experience with our professional practices and connections to develop agriculturally informed therapy training for on-the-ground social workers and therapists to serve farmers, their families and […] Read more
The Do More Agriculture Foundation’s Embracing the Awkward initiative is about starting conversations that can be challenging for many producers because it’s not something they grew up doing.
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Mental health 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

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Glacier FarmMedia – A new awareness campaign is aimed at helping 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. Why […] Read more
Lack of sleep impacts alertness, judgment, coordination and reaction time while driving.
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Farmers can prepare now to better manage stress during planting season

Nutrition, sleep and communication strategies are key to maintaining health during busy times

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Farmers and farm families face unique challenges. As the busy season of planting approaches, the rising demands and pressures of farming are likely to increase stress.  Kathy Somers, a registered kinesiologist who runs the Stress Management and High Performance Clinic in Guelph, says farmers should prepare now to better manage their mental and physical health […] Read more
Farmer mental health support line now live
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Farmer mental health support line now live

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An agriculture-specific mental wellness telehealth line is now live and available to all Ontario farmers and farm families. The Farmer Wellness Initiative provides four free counselling sessions with mental health specialists trained to understand the unique issues impacting farmers, thanks to funding through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership program in partnership with Ontario’s Ministry of Agriculture, […] Read more
Beverly Beuermann-King of R’n’R Consulting says it’s critical to start a conversation with a struggling employee in a safe and comfortable location. Then, point to unusual behaviours and speak naturally.
News

Subtle signs can show mental health strain in employees

Employees often don’t reach out because they fear they could lose their job

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How easy is it to recognize when an employee is having an off-day or dealing with mental health issues?  Not that easy, as pandemic times have shown. Twenty-one months into a global pandemic, some behaviours seem almost normal because everyone has felt the strain. However, there are tell-tale signs of deeper issues, said Beverly Beuermann-King […] Read more

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