WELLINGTON COUNTY – Farmers have an elevated risk of suicide in proportion to the general population.
Farming has stressors that require a constant stream of resilience strategies.
Commodity prices, farm debt, animal health, long hours, and the public’s stigma toward those who farm can leave them vulnerable to depression, anxiety, substance misuse and overall poor mental health.
The Suicide Awareness Council’s Farming and Veterinary Suicide Prevention Working Group recognized the need to create a resource for farmers by farmers to help normalize the conversation about mental health.
“The farm comes first. It’s not a job but a lifestyle. Farmers often don’t have the time to seek help,” one of the members says. “Machinery breakdowns or a sick animal can upset well-intentioned plans.
“Some farmers don’t want their peers to know that they are struggling,” they add. “Failure isn’t an option.
“Sometime there is pressure to maintain a farm that has been in the family for generations. Farmers often suffer in silence.”
The working group felt that it was important to offer something tangible and useful.
Given the popularity of farming magazines, the council created GROUNDED for the Farming and Agriculture Community. The small magazine is filled with real life stories of hope and resilience along with practical tools and supports.
The working group also wants to shed some light on the fact that veterinarians have one of the highest levels of suicide in relation to other professions.
The council is hosting a free virtual lunch and learn on Feb. 23 called Taking It All On. The interactive workshop is aimed at helping veterinarians and their teams to learn practical strategies on how to build resilience and support mental wellness.
According to the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, a recent study found 26.2 per cent of Canadian veterinarians have had thoughts of suicide in the last 12 months.
“We don’t recognize the vicarious trauma and empathetic stress that they experience on a day-to-day basis,” council coordinator Heather Glenister says.
“We often see them as just people that take care of our animals whether it be on the farm or at their office.”
For more information about suicide prevention and resources, visit www.sacwd.ca.
