3 minute read
Wellness on the Farm
By the Ontario Federation of Agriculture
Add Mental Wellness to Your Growing Season Checklist
The disappearance of snow and arrival of spring showers triggers the countdown for the 2022 growing season. Many of us have spent the winter months waiting in anticipation as we ordered inputs, prepared for calving and ensured that equipment is ready for when mother nature gives the green light.
Farm life is busy and as we juggle its daily demands, we often forget that the farm’s most precious resource is the people behind it. Always remember, you and your team are your farm’s most valuable assets.
As farmers, we automatically assess our livestock and evaluate if they have over-wintered well or need additional support. It is second nature to regularly monitor them for physical or mental changes, and to check for equipment that requires maintenance, but the people involved in the farm can benefit from maintenance and check-ins, too.
Check in with yourself, loved ones and those in your community. It is important to take the time to do a self-assessment of how you are both physically, mentally and look out for others. Asking yourself a few simple questions can help you better understand your current state of mind. For example, how have you and your loved ones fared this winter? Are you optimistic for the future or running low on hope, optimism and energy? Are you looking forward to planting season or feeling overwhelmed with the unpredictability of weather, increasing costs and potential market volatility?
Farmers are resilient, but it is important to recognize when you or someone you know needs help. In the Know training can help in identifying stress, depression, anxiety, substance misuse and empower you to start conversations around mental well-being. The facilitators provide a four-hour mental health literacy workshop tailored to farmers and producers. With support from OFA, the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario branches offer this training across the province in rural and agricultural communities. The In the Know training is meant for all farmers, producers and persons who often interact with the agriculture sector. Family members, peers, veterinarians, breeders, farm input providers, financial advisors, accountants and community members are all encouraged to complete the course.
For more individual support, the Farmer Wellness Initiative offers farmers across Ontario and members of their household access to free counselling sessions with a mental health professional. These mental health professionals have received training to understand the unique needs of Ontario farmers. Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in English and French, farmers can call 1-866-267-6255 to speak to a counsellor. This project is provided with funding by the governments of Canada and Ontario, including support from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year federal-provincialterritorial initiative. Remember, we’re all in this together. Lean on your community and band together to help each other through. Check in on your neighbours, friends and loved ones to see how they’re doing. A phone call or visit can make the world of a difference to someone who needs a helping hand or listening ear. We cannot control the mother nature, markets, or increasing input costs, but we can control how we show up for ourselves and each other. Team OFA wishes you all a bountiful and safe 2022 growing season. OB
FOR YEAR-ROUND ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES CHOOSE CHAROLAIS
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Plan to attend the Canadian Charolais Youth Association Conference and Show, Renfrew, Ontario July 27 to 30. For more information, please Visit youth.charolais.com.
