By Bruce Cochrane.
A researcher with the University of Guelph says a new culture is needed where farmers can feel comfortable talking about the stresses and they face and seeking help in dealing with stress when it's needed.
Researchers with the Ontario Veterinary College are analyzing data gathered through a survey of approximately 1,100 farmers across Canada as part of a study on stress, the results of which will be used to develop resources to help farmers deal with stress.
Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton, a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine and Associate Professor of Epidemiology in the Department of Population Medicine at the University of Guelph, says farmers deal with a multitude of stresses but they are reluctant to seek help to deal with those stresses.
Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton-University of Guelph:
There's a well recognized reluctance of many farmers across multiple countries to seek help and especially for mental health.
It's true there does seem to be a stigma around mental health even in the general population although fortunately that's getting better but the situation appears to be far more extreme in farmers.
I think their need to be strong and independent and having a solid work ethic, that's such a big part of their identity and importunely discussing stress and poor mental well being is considered by many farmers to be a sign of weakness.
And when your entire identity is built on strength, it's no wonder that some people are not going to want to talk about it.
This needs to change.
We need to start realizing and openly discussing the fact that taking care of yourself, honoring your self-care and getting help if it's needed, these aren't signs of weakness, but they're actually signs of strength.
I think to change that perception of mental health in agriculture, it's going to require courage on the part of our farmers to speak openly about some of the challenges they're experiencing before we start changing those cultural norms.
Dr. Jones-Bitton hopes to have preliminary results to share by the end of May on issues related to perceived stress, depression, anxiety burn-out and resilience.
Source: Farmscape