Free program helps farmers be ‘In the Know’ about mental health
- Apr 29
- 4 min read
By Tamara Botting
A decade ago, two researchers from the University of Guelph, Dr. Andria Jones and Dr. Briana Hagen, conducted a study on the mental health of farmers across Canada.
This included a survey of farmers, which received over 1,100 responses.
“It came back with some very jarring statistics,” said Amelia Cassimatis, Bilingual Engagement Manager with Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AgWO), part of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA).
Almost half of the respondents – 45 per cent – were found to have high stress, and 35 per cent had depression. Farmers were also found to be two times as likely to have experienced suicidal thoughts (this can range from a brief, passive thought, like wishing to not wake up the next morning, to actively planning or preparing to die by suicide).
Jackie Ralph, Youth and Adult Awareness and Education Supervisor with CMHA Grey Bruce Mental Health and Addictions Services, said the statistics around the mental health challenges faced by farmers are alarming, but not necessarily surprising.
“There’s a quote we reference a lot in our work at CMHA by Dr. Rachel Naomi Remen that says, ‘The expectation that we can be immersed in suffering and loss daily and not be touched by it is as unrealistic as expecting to be able to walk through water and not get wet.’ How can farmers be surrounded by so much uncertainty and stress and responsibility and not be affected? We are constantly checking the markets, the news and the weather. Our brains rarely get a rest. These are heavy weights to carry on a daily basis, and the stats show the effects,” Ralph said.
“But as any good farmer will do, it’s innate in all of us to approach the issue in a problem-solving lens.”
Out of the University of Guelph study came the In the Know program, which was first delivered in 2019. Since 2021, the program has been delivered in Ontario through AgWO.
Cassimatis explained that In the Know was “really designed to be an introduction to mental health,” specifically geared towards those in the agricultural industry.
During an In the Know session, topics including stress, anxiety, depression, suicide, substance abuse, and how to start a conversation around mental health (whether your own or someone else’s) are each discussed for about 20 to 30 minutes, over the course of three to three and a half hours.
Cassimatis noted that since In the Know is open to those who are agriculturally adjacent as well, there have been a wide range of people who have participated, including veterinarians, people who work in sales of agricultural products, municipal workers, etc.
“We get a lot of people from financial institutions as well; money’s stressful for everybody, so they will often encounter a farmer who could be in distress, struggling with finances,” she said.
Cassimatis noted that the In the Know program is “a way to educate (participants) about the specific stressors that farmers face and how mental health is different in the industry. The cool thing about this program is it’s really tailored to the ag community. So, all the examples, all the tools, everything that we use is relatable and practical.”
While other mental health programs might offer suggestions like ‘take time off of work,’ there’s a recognition in the program that that isn’t feasible for those who work in farming.
“It’s really working with the community and giving them tools to be proactive, and then what to do in case they have to be reactive,” Cassimatis said.
The practical tools offered include things like teaching people how to ground themselves, breathing exercises, and encouragements to connect with others, such as reaching out to neighbours, going to community events, being a part of community organizations like ag federations or faith groups, etc.
Ralph has facilitated In the Know sessions, both virtually and in person.
She said a big part of the education is helping participants see how many opportunities there are in the normal course of a day on the farm to have a meaningful conversation.
“When we remind them that talking about your mental health can happen on a road trip to pick up parts, while cleaning out the stalls, or fixing a piece of equipment, it gives them more comfort and confidence in doing so,” Ralph said.
While mental health might feel like a taboo topic, “Stigma can only exist out of lack of knowledge. It really is just about you only know what you know until you know it. The more we learn about the stats and signs and how we all have mental health and that it’s not an exclusive membership club, stigma is decreased,” Ralph said.
Of course, different people will have different comfort levels, she added.
While some people might be concerned that if they attend an In the Know session, they’ll be put on the spot to share, Ralph said that’s not the case at all, and instead compared it to attending a dinner party.
“Whether it’s being the life of the party or just chilling in the background enjoying the music and the food, you can come and attend in whatever capacity works for you. Sharing our stories is such an incredible way to learn about the topic of mental health, but there is no pressure to do so,” she said, adding that rather than asking participants to share their stories to serve as examples, the course has pre-written scenarios for the group to engage with.
Each month, AgWO hosts virtual In the Know sessions.
Ralph noted, “You literally can take the course from the cab of your tractor, your couch, or your kitchen table.”
In the Know and AgWO’s other mental health programs and services are offered free of charge, thanks to funding through the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture’s Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (SCAP).
For more information about these programs and services, visit agriculturewellnessontario.ca.
You can also look for the AgWO booth at the International Plowing Match, which will be taking place Sept. 22 to 26 in Walkerton, ON.
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