Growing in Hope

Originally posted: November 9, 2023

“Growing in Hope” is one of the slogans used by the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program. Yes, you heard that right: a mental health program specifically designed to support farmers.

I listened to the interview on the radio and I was intrigued, so I found the article in print: Virden woman wants to help farmers get mental health support from those who know ag sector

As I was searching for that article online, I came across this report from 2019: Stress, depression and getting farmers to talk about it. 

Four years ago, CBC journalist, Nick Prudon reported about a brave farmer who started talking about his mental health:

• There is a very high suicide rate in farming.
• Farmers invest hundreds of thousands of dollars into annual crops that are at the whim of changing weather patterns and climate change.
• Farmers have their own stigma about talking about mental health because feel they are seen as the salt of the earth, hardworking, strong individuals, who have to carry-on no matter what happens.

EVERYONE has mental health issues. Farmers are just like you and I, suffering real symptoms of stress and not understanding it or recognizing it. The cause of our stress might be different, but the SYMPTOMS are often the same. Slowly, we are all learning to ask for help with our mental health..