MAPLETON – A quarter of Canadian farmers reported wishing they were dead, feeling their life was not worth living, or considering dying by suicide within a year of being surveyed.
That’s according to a 2022 study published in the Journal of Agromedicine.
And it’s one of the reasons Agricultural Wellness Ontario (AWO) offers free suicide prevention training for agriculture industry professionals.
AWO psychological support and education manager Bethany Parkinson, who lives on a beef and sheep farm in Guelph/Eramosa, delegated to Mapleton council on April 22 to tell councillors about the free training.
The Canadian Mental Health Association manages AWO in partnership with agricultural stakeholders, and is funded in part by the federal, provincial and territorial government’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership.
AWO offers a range of free programs that focus on mental health, well being, support and education within farming communities.
This includes the Guardian Network, an award winning program that provides training to people who live, work or volunteer within rural or agricultural communities.
“It’s a full-day suicide prevention training that talks about understanding mental health .. with an agricultural focus,” Parkinson said.
“The training focuses on how to identify someone who may be struggling with their mental health, as well as experiencing suicidal ideation.”
Parkinson said farmers are more than twice as likely to experience suicide ideation than the general population.
The training teaches people “how to respond supportively and check for warning signs,” and how to refer people to “mental health resources that are free and accessible to farmers and the farming community,” she said.
“We do have quite a few resources within [AWO]. One of them is a free and unlimited counselling and crisis line for farmers, farm workers and their families. It’s called the Farmer Wellness Initiative.”
Parkinson said AWO could bring the training to Mapleton for township staff and councillors or for the community at large.
The free training sessions are for up to 20 to 30 people at a time and can take place virtually or in person.
“We would come with all the materials and mental health workers that would facilitate the training,” Parkinson said, noting she is one of the trainers and all AWO staff have backgrounds in both agriculture and mental health.
People who complete the training become part of a Guardian Network support community of mental health advocates.
After completing the full-day training, these advocates can choose to participate in monthly lunch and learns or annual symposiums/conferences.
According to a 2016 study on Canadian farmers’ mental health from the University of Guelph’s Ontario Veterinary College:
- 35 per cent of farmers meet the classifications for depression;
- 58% of farmers meet the classifications for anxiety;
- 68% of farmers are more susceptible than the general population to chronic stress (which can lead to physical and mental illnesses); and
- 45% of farmers report high stress.
Parkinson said when this study was replicated in 2021, the per cent of farmers reporting high stress rose to 76%.
She said farmers utilize stress-coping methods such as sleeping more, avoiding others, eating more or less, self-blame and an increase in substance use, specifically alcohol consumption.”
Mapleton council received Parkinson’s delegation for information.
