By Bruce Cochrane.
A researcher with the University of Guelph says many of the daily stresses faced by farmers are largely outside of their control.
A team of researchers with the Ontario Veterinary College surveyed 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 farming is recognized as one of the most stressful occupations worldwide and many of the stresses that farmers face are outside of their control.
Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton-University of Guelph:
For one we're talking about very long hours, very heavy workloads, and working in social isolation.
Many farmers are working those long hours by themselves and may not often get off farm for social interaction.
Farmers are dealing with animal disease and outbreaks of disease, poor weather, extreme weather, changing weather, they're dealing with government regulations and changing government regulations and that's just to name a couple.
Many of the farmers that I've had the pleasure of getting to know have also shared with me that they're feeling like what they do and how they do it is constantly under attack by the public and all of that combined, that's a lot for anyone to deal with.
So, while I find it highly unfortunate I don't actually find it surprising that farmers worldwide have been found to experience higher rates of mental health issues and sadly have a higher risk of dying by suicide than non-farmers.
Dr. Jones-Bitton says by working together and combining their strengths researchers, farmers, ag industry groups, governments, social workers and mental health professionals can make a difference.
She says analysis of the data on perceived stress, depression, anxiety, burnout and resilience is well underway and the hope is to have results and recommendations to share by the end of May.
Source: Farmscape