This webinar summary covers the following key points:
- The webinar is about mental health in agriculture and will be available on germination.ca within 24 hours.
- Presenters include the Executive Director of Do More Agriculture Foundation and a University of Guelph researcher who discuss statistics on farmer mental health and strategies for self-care, supporting others, and accessing resources.
- Additional presenters provide perspectives on rural suicide intervention, ag wellbeing strategies, and communication in farm transitions. Participants are invited to ask questions in the chat.
8. Adelle Stewart
Executive Director
Do More Agriculture Foundation
Adelle brings over 20 years’ experience in
mental health, workshop facilitation,
disability management, human resources as
well as operational efficiency, strategy, and
marketing to her position with Do More Ag.
She has developed in-depth knowledge of
the Canadian health care system as well as
alternative and complimentary health
supports, making mental health in ag a
natural fit.
@adelle_stewart1
10. 35% met the criteria for depression classification
45% were classified as having high stress
58% met the criteria for anxiety classification
Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton
University of Guelph – National Survey on Farmer Mental Health
21. Cynthia Beck
Rural Suicide Intervention Responder
and Farmer
Cynthia is a clinical psychology master’s
student at the University of Regina and
provides suicide intervention response
services to southeast Saskatchewan.
Along with her husband, two children
and farming in partnership with her
husband’s family, the Becks operate a
350-head cowherd and farm 6,000 acres
of grainland.@BeckAgWellbeing
24. What is mental health?
24
Ability to meet daily functioning
needs
Balanced thinking
Balanced emotions
Healthy coping
25. What are signs of decreasing mental health?
Changes in eating habits
Changes in sleeping habits
Difficulty concentrating
Changes in mood – super happy or more down
Withdrawing from the people and the world
around you
Poor decisions or impaired judgment
26. 26
What helps mental health?
Fueling our body properly
SLEEP!
Self-awareness
Use thinking time wisely
Stop comparing
Factual self-talk
Realistic list to accomplish
Talk to a trusted person
29. Elaine Froese
Professional Speaker, Certified Farm
Transition Communication Expert, Seed
Grower
Elaine is a professional speaker, writer, and
coach who specializes in helping farm
families work through issues surrounding
succession, business and that old family
favourite – communication. She is also a
farm partner in Froese Family Farms near
Boissevain in southwestern Manitoba.
Together the family operates Boissevain
Select Seeds.
@ElaineFroese
30. Mindset shift
helping all be successful
cc: Nick Herasimenka - https://unsplash.com/@nickhh?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit
After Do More Ag Video - found here: https://youtu.be/WAP0-b_k8ik
What you are going to be talking about today
Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton with The University of Guelph recently conducted the National Survey of Farmer Mental Health, the survey ran from Sept 2015 to Jan 2016 and included farmers from across Canada.
35% of respondents meet the definition for depression classification
45% of respondents were classified as having high stress
58% of respondents meet the definition for anxiety classification
The most concerning number out of all the stats you see is that 40% of farmers would feel uneasy about seeking professional help because of what people might think. However, this also tells us that 60% would seek help! Now how do we get that 60% number to 100%? 100% of producers would realize they are not alone and they have an entire industry behind them?
In Canada, our reporting for farm suicides is lacking, however, In the USA farmers are twice as likely to die by suicide than rest of population.
We are a Canada wide not for profit organization focusing on mental health in ag. We are champions for the mental wellbeing of all Canadian producers and envision a culture in Agriculture where all producers are encouraged and supported to take care of their mental wellbeing. Do More Ag operates under 3 pillars: talk ask listen more
What does this look like?
Individualized.
Prolonged Progressive changes.
Stress: It Is Not Mental Illness
•Is characterized by over or under engagement
•The person’s emotions are over reactive
•It gives one a feeling of urgency and hyperactivity
•It leads to loss of energy
• Chronic stress can lead to anxiety disorders
• Its primary damage is physical
Relate to the slide before regarding the stress model. Hard to return to green all the time
Listen More - When you ask someone “how are you?” actually listen to the reply. You don’t need to be an expert to listen as a friend, family member or even a stranger. Sometimes all someone needs is an ear to listen
If we can keep doing more, in just these 3 areas, we will accomplish some pretty amazing things in our industry and move towards breaking the stigma around mental health and mental illness.
There are resources available - from information to crisis intervention - to truly tackle the stigma and make a lasting impact all resources and initiatives will need to come together, much like it will take the entire ag industry to come together. What you see on the slide here are resources across Canada that I encourage everyone to look into - from mental health first aid to a library of information to assistance in a crisis situation. It’s important that we all take the time to understand what resources are available to us, before we truly need them.
