Reading Time: 3 minutes Christmas can be hard. For some people, it increases loneliness, grief, hopelessness and family tension, and the festive season has a way of turning ordinary concerns into urgent ones.
How to deal with worry this Christmas
Domestic abuse survivors may need extra support when livestock is involved, experts say
Reading Time: 3 minutes Animal health and intimate partner violence are linked, say speakers at the Humane Canada One Health Conference
AgTalk farmer mental health support platform sees partnership renewed
Do More Ag’s anonymous chat platform has seen more than 10,000 interactions since its launch in 2023
Reading Time: < 1 minute AgTalk, an anonymous online space for those in the agricultural sector to find mental health support, has seen its funding partnership renewed, the Do More Agriculture Foundation announced on Tuesday.
How to manage your mental health
Farming is more than just a job; it’s a way of life. But it’s a lifestyle that can bring high levels of stress, long hours and uncertainty. What can you do to manage the stress when the pressure builds?
Reading Time: 5 minutes Unpredictable weather and markets. Long days spent alone in the combine and tractor. The pressure of running a family farm. The stress can build until it’s too loud to ignore. “For many farmers, these stressors are simply part of the job,” says Che Burnett, registered social worker at Counselling Alberta. “But when stress goes unchecked […] Read more
What to do when worry takes over
Getting control over your worries can be far easier said than done — but you can get a good start if you practice these tips
Reading Time: 4 minutes “I don’t tell my story because it’s unique. I tell it because it isn’t,” says former Manitoba hog farmer Gerry Friesen. A little over 20 years ago Friesen’s farm was in financial crisis after years of market volatility, tariffs and low prices. “At the time, my mind was working overtime, replaying worst case scenarios, questioning […] Read more
New initiative to promote farmer mental health launched
Collaborative solutions wanted
Reading Time: 2 minutes The Canadian government is looking for new ways to help the mental health of farmers across the country — and has launched the Producer Mental Wellbeing Initiative (PMWI) to find "collaborative solutions that employ novel strategies" to do just that.
Mental health affects decision-making on the farm
Farming is one of the most stressful careers, and that can affect your ability to make decisions
Reading Time: 5 minutes So many integral parts of running a farm business can cause stress. Finances, family disagreements, weather, long hours, lack of sleep, volatile markets, industry regulations and paperwork, uncertain crop yield, machinery breakdowns, technology, and the well-being of livestock are the most common. High stress levels are common on farms, but that’s dangerous because they can […] Read more
Launching National Farmer Crisis Line
Crisis line is available at 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701)
Reading Time: 2 minutes As farming gleans stress from a variety of sources, the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing announced on Feb. 4 that it has set up the National Farmer Wellness Network. The crisis line is available free of charge and was designed specifically for the mental health challenges faced by Canadian farmers, their families as well as […] Read more
COMMENT: How even just 15 minutes in nature can boost your wellbeing
Reading Time: 3 minutes Spending time outside, particularly in nature, is important because it can help regulate stress, boost mental health, and improve immune function.
Agriculture community invited to ‘talk it out’ about mental health via free online platform
Reading Time: < 1 minute 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.
A message from April Stewart, Country Guide's Associate Editor
