By Nigel Maxwell

From the ground up: mental health support aid for farmers moves onto next phase

Jan 23, 2022 | 12:00 PM

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask.—The seeds have been planted and are showing signs of sprouting, for a new tool that will one day provide valuable mental health support to farmers and ranchers in Saskatchewan.

Since the launch of the Farmer and Rancher Mental Health (FARMh) initiative in January 2021, over 100 people have participated in the project. Michelle Pavloff, Sask Polytech research chair for rural health and principal investigator, explained that while the majority of producers relayed interest in the project itself, they also expressed discouragement with the current resources available.

“They find there is a lack of availability in rural areas, and they are also finding the supports available doesn’t really integrate farm culture and they feel misunderstood,” she said.

When asked to elaborate on those feelings of being misunderstood, Pavloff provided the example of a farmer, feeling stressed about financials, being advised to consider doing something else.

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“It’s not easy for them to sell the farm or move off the farm and get a new job because for them their operation is a way of life, it’s in their soul, and it’s in their roots,” she said.

Pavloff also explained that farmers said they can tell within five minutes if people “get farming”, and have a difficult time trusting those people who don’t understand what it feels like to have the stress associated with farming.

“Over 82 per cent of them said they want to talk to other agriculture producers who are trained in mental health, to provide that peer support one-to-one,” she said.

Michelle Pavloff. (Submitted/ Briane Bergeron)

Phase one of the study will be used to inform the next steps in planning the mental health program. Pavloff explained it’s her intent to conduct several trials this year, to see what works as the best intervention tool for Saskatchewan ranchers and farmers.

The research team has also partnered with the Massage Therapy Association of Saskatchewan to have rural registered massage therapists assess anxiety and depression with their farmer and rancher clients. Shari Laventure, who works as a marketing specialist for Cargill, is helping collect data for the FARMh project.

“I wanted to get involved with the FARMh project as I lost my brother, who died by suicide in 2015,” says Laventure. “I’m really passionate about suicide prevention and erasing the stigma of asking for mental health support. I feel like a really valued member of the FARMh team and am excited for the next phase of the project.”

The FARMh team has also partnered with Seniors Centers Without Walls Saskatchewan and YOUth Matter Canada to offer mental wellness strategies. They will also work with Cargill to train employees in mental health first aid and suicide intervention.

More information on phase two of the study will be shared on the project website at saskpolytech.ca/farmh.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell