The stress of farming and farming comes with challenges that are beyond the producer’s control. According to Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the challenges are weather, pests, diseases, high input costs and volatile markets.
To determine what mental health support is needed, a January 2021 research project was launched to determine key features.
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Researchers will complete the first phase this month. To date, more than 100 people have participated in the Farmer and Rancher Mental Health (FARMh) initiative.
The Saskatchewan Polytechnic research team collected data from farmers and farmers through telephonic interviews and surveys.
“We explored programs, resources, and interventions that farmers and farmers said they wanted,” said Michelle Pavloff, Saskatchewan Polytechnic Rural Health Research Chair. “We also discussed what some of their obstacles were to receiving mental health care. And to define what their perception of what farm culture was. ”
According to a statement, a marketing specialist for Cargill assisted in collecting data for the FARMh project and conducting interviews with farmers and farmers.
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“I wanted to get involved in the FARMh project because I lost my brother, who died by suicide in 2015,” said Shari Laventure. “I am really passionate about suicide prevention and erasing the stigma of asking for mental health support. I feel like a very valued member of the FARMh team and I am excited for the next phase of the project. ”
The data obtained from Phase one of the study will help determine the next steps in planning a mental health program that will be designed by Saskatchewan farmers and farmers for Saskatchewan farmers and farmers.
“We want to create a program that provides the right resources at the right time to support mental health and wellness,” Pavloff said.
The research team said that phase two of the study will propose interventions to be done as part of a trial period in 2022 and 2023. For more information on the FARMh project, visit: saskpolytech.ca/farmh.
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