Over the last number of years, more of an emphasis is being put on Agriculture and mental health and shedding the stigma around reaching out for help.
The Do More Ag Foundation and Farm Credit Canada have been working together to help support mental health training in rural areas.
Adele Stewart, Executive Director for the Do More Ag Foundation, says they are continually gaining feedback and traction on the issue.
“You know producers are really ready to not only talk about this, but do something about it better their own health and support each other.”
John McFayden, Executive Director of the Mobile Crisis Centre is encouraging producers that may be struggling with conflicts, stress or depression to call the Farm Stress Line.
“When you're able to talk about things that are happening in stressing you, just being able to talk about it gives you that opportunity to reflect and to see that it's not quite as hopeless as you thought it was.”
He says farmers and ranchers have been dealing with a lot from the weather to the markets and trade, all of which are out of their control.
“When you're calling the farm stress line. I guess the hardest thing is picking up the phone to call. Once you call the workers are skilled at helping you tell your story. They're kind of prioritizing, looking at what are the most important things you need to address, and then they're kind of looking at what are your strengths, what's happened in the past, and what are your supports.”
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