“We have hither-to prided ourselves in Canada that it was the sanity of our agriculturists that made farming so profitable.” This quote from Dr. Charles E. Doherty explains how his perception of farmers led to the establishment of the Colony Farm in British Columbia in 1910. Patients worked on the land and with animals as a therapeutic approach to combat mental illness such as depression, the program had success for several decades.
Fast forward to the 21st century and the basis for mental wellness on Canadian farms is not quite so rosy. Canada’s farmers are fewer in number, are often isolated with increased pressures due to slim margins, high risk of plant and livestock disease as well as overwhelming responsibilities. This leaves Canadian farmers more vulnerable to depression and suicide than ever before.
Organizations such as the University of Guelph, Farm Management Canada and the Do More Agriculture Foundation are not waiting another one hundred years to support our farmers with targeted approaches, to try to turn this around.
Bell Let’s Talk day is January 28th. It is an annual mental health awareness day and is focused on 4 key action pillars: Anti-stigma, Care and Access, Research and Workplace Leadership. Money is raised in a variety of ways, but mainly through social media interactions typically using the hashtag #BellLetsTalk or sending text messages or making phone calls for Bell mobile clients.
Join the discussion on January 28th, Let’s talk. #BellLetsTalk