FAQ.

Why does agriculture need mental health support?

We champion the mental wellbeing of everyone in Canadian agriculture, working with farming communities to cultivate a culture where mental health is understood, supported and openly discussed. Mental health is a community journey — no one should walk alone.

Agriculture has a unique culture. The strength, hard work and perseverance that are sources of pride can also make it difficult to acknowledge when we’re struggling. Stigma, fear of judgment and expectations around being strong can prevent people from speaking up, reaching out or accessing support.

We want to help change that. By building our courage and confidence to talk, ask and listen, we can create more space for honest conversations about mental health.

There are structural challenges, too. Accessing mental health support can be difficult in rural and agricultural communities, where services may be limited, difficult to access or may not reflect the realities of agriculture. That makes both access to appropriate support and strong community connections especially important.

We all have a role to play when it comes to mental health. Clinical and professional supports matter — and so does community. At The Do More Agriculture Foundation, we believe that when each of us does more to support our own wellbeing and the people around us, we can help create meaningful change together.

Farmers standing in a field supporting one another.

What we often say - and what we can say:

  • I’m going to tough it out. I’m going to talk it out.

  • I don’t know how to ask. I care about you. I’d rather ask how you’re doing and be awkward so you know that I care.

  • I’m not qualified. I am not an expert. I can listen so you don’t feel alone — and I can encourage you to take next steps.

  • I don’t know what to do. I will learn, so that I can help myself and others.

  • Mental health problems means I’m weak. I’m struggling, and I deserve help.

  • They just need to get back to work. We value hard work. There’s nothing harder than a difficult health journey.

  • I don’t want anyone to know. Isolation makes this journey harder. Please walk with me, walk with us.

What works: the benefits of agriculture

  • Access to the outdoors and wide open spaces.

  • A sense of accomplishment and pride.

  • Working alongside others who share our values and interests.

  • Ability to make our own decisions and shape what we do.

Risk factors across agriculture:

  • Workload and time pressures: so much to do, never enough time.

  • Rural isolation: lack of social interaction, healthcare and recreational/social services.

  • Financial pressures of debt load, razor thin margins, and lack of control.

  • Family or business conflict that makes things difficult.

  • The cascading impact of farm legacy and farm transition.

  • External stressors including weather, price/markets, agricultural policy and legislation, machinery breakdowns and disease outbreaks.

  • Criticism of farming in the media reducing pride and public trust.

  • Farm culture: tough it out, pull yourself up by your bootstraps, get it done.

  • The perceived and active social "shame" and stigma of having mental health challenges.

What can we all do to help support mental health in agriculture?

The "Healthy Minds, Healthy Farms" report from Farm Management Canada (2020) revealed the following key recommendations aimed at addressing mental health challenges in the agriculture community:

  • Recommendation 1: Continue raising awareness around the importance of farmer mental health - both how mental health impacts farming, and how farming impacts mental health.

  • Recommendation 2: Support the improvement of mental health literacy for farmers and those supporting farmers - increased literacy and confidence will help eliminate stigma and build strong pathways for support.

  • Recommendation 3: Deliver business management advice, tools, and training that focus on risk management and preparedness as a means of facing uncertainty - proactive skill development addresses risk and builds strength.

  • Recommendation 4: Advocate for farmer-specific mental health support services - ensure mental health network strength, from the farmgate and rural communities and right across Canada.

How can you support your mental wellbeing, and the wellbeing of others within your community?

  • Do a self check in: Hay Are You Okay?

  • Host mental health workshops and events in your community or business to increase confidence, develop skills, and cultivate a culture of welcome, belonging, and inclusion to break the perceptions of stigma, shame and fear. For event and initiative ideas that might work in your community or business, check out our podcast Hay Are We Okay?

  • Access the free and anonymous mental health community AgTalk which welcomes members of the agriculture industry just like you: AgTalk

  • Review wellness tips on tangible strategies to help support yourself and others: Wellness Tips

The Role of The Do More Agriculture Foundation:

  • The Do More Agriculture Foundation recognizes the specific challenges the agriculture industry faces and works to address them through helping you raise awareness, foster community, and link people to resources tailored to the agricultural community's needs.

Do More Ag helps you break down stigma, create belonging and hope, and bridge the gap to mental health services. Together, we grow agricultural wellbeing right across Canada.