It may have come as a surprise to those with a romantic idea of farming when research revealed the high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression experienced by farmers.
Digging a little deeper into the numbers showed that this is a global phenomenon and results from many factors that are just part of the job. The good news is that since those initial numbers grabbed headlines, many people have come together and taken steps to help address the issue.
Dr. Andria Jones works at the University of Guelph and is one of the leading researchers on farmer’s mental health. Her work highlighted some stats that might have been surprising for people who imagine farming as a low-key, relaxing occupation. Her research found that 57 per cent of farmers experience anxiety, 45 per cent report high stress levels, and 35 per cent deal with depression, numbers that are higher than found in the general population. Other research has found that suicide rates are also higher in farm and rural populations.
Anyone who works in agriculture could probably list many reasons why this is the case. Financial uncertainty, barriers to accessing mental health services, isolation, living at work, and easy access to firearms are all factors listed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada. As farmers, so many things are beyond our control, with the rate of change seeming to get more intense all the time.
It can be easy to get bogged down if we think of all the reasons we could be stressed. But focusing on the problems can make them seem bigger than they need to be. As farmers and rural residents, we also have lots of strengths that we can harness to address these issues. One common theme I have noticed is our sticking together, having open conversations, and supporting each other.
Several groups have formed across Ontario and Canada to help farmers do that. The Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing is a partnership that includes Agriculture Wellness Ontario, AgSafe Alberta, the Do More Agriculture Foundation, AgSafe BC, Farm Safety Nova Scotia, with a focus on connection. This group launched the National Farmer Wellness Network which offers free support for all Canadian farmers through the National Farmer Network Crisis Line. This is available for farmers, farm families living on or off the farm, farm employees and spouses and dependents.
The National Farmer Network Crisis Line was launched in February 2025 and is staffed by mental health professionals who have been trained through the Canadian Agricultural Literacy Program (CALP). Their website claims: “This evidenced based-training ensures that when you call, you’re speaking with someone who understands the realities of farm life, from financial pressures to the emotional toll of running a farm.”
More information can be found online at https://ccaw.ca/. The 100 per cent confidential National Farmer Network Crisis Line can be accessed by calling 1-866-327-6701 and is available 24/7. Farm Credit Canada (FCC) invested $1.5 million into this program.
Agriculture Wellness Ontario delivers educational training and workshops across Ontario. In The Know Outreach Coordinator, Erica Sayles, explained that they offer a suite of programs that bring mental health education, counselling services, and community support to agricultural communities across the province free of charge. These include the Guardian Network, In the Know, and Growth workshops, which can all be booked for a business or organization and are flexible to be delivered in person or virtually.
The Guardian Network trains volunteers to recognize and support others who are struggling with mental health and identify those who are having suicidal thoughts. The training helps people learn how to have difficult conversations and how to guide others to find appropriate help and support. In the Know is a four-hour workshop that helps participants learn about stress, depression, anxiety, and substance use in ways that are specifically geared toward agriculture. Growth workshops are quick sessions that offer learning opportunities around mental health. These workshops can be completed in less than one hour – current topics are “An Intro to Mental Health in Agriculture” and “Navigating Stress in Agriculture”.
These sessions are offered monthly for and are open to all. Upcoming dates and registration links can be found at www.AgricultureWellnessOntario.ca. Last year over 2000 individuals across the province participated, and they hope to have more this year.
Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag) champions the mental well-being of people working in agriculture. Do More Ag works across Canada to take action through raising awareness and breaking the stigma often associated with mental health issues.
Connected communities are one focus, and the group encourages people to come together to support each other. Do More Ag also aims to bridge the gap for people searching for mental health support. More information can be found at domore.ag. Heads up! They are partnering with Tanner Steffler Foundation to host a free mental health workshop - Talk Ask Listen - to the Seaforth Agriplex on November 22.
We’ve got to stick together. It is important to pay attention to those in your circle and notice warning signs such as losing interest in hobbies or activities, disconnection from friends and family, as well as changes in sleep and eating patterns. Being willing to talk openly and really listen are also both key to helping each other. ◊