Low risk for developing a mental health issue or addiction; Maintaining current mental health.
You feel things are going well, and you want to keep it that way. Or, perhaps you’re managing okay overall, but you know that you could do more to take time for yourself, clear your head, or manage stressful situations more proactively.
If this describes you, a family member, a valued worker on the farm, or someone in the farming community, it’s important to be proactive about your mental health and well-being.
Just as important as it is to prioritize the maintenance of machinery on the farm, it is equally important to recognize that you are the most critical machinery in your operation. Taking proactive steps to maintain your current state of mental health and wellness can contribute to a fulfilling and balanced life.
Explore the following resources to help you strengthen your mental well-being and continue thriving in your personal and professional life.
We have a number of physical items to support mental health available at Farm Safety Nova Scotia. You can request your mental health kit which include a stress ball, ear plugs, tissues, a poem on farmer resiliency, healthy eating resources and breathing cards by e-mailing info@farmsafetyns.ca.
Farm Family Support Line
Reach out. Get Help. Feel Better.
The Farm Family Support Line is a confidential, short term counselling and advisory service to help farmers, their families and their employees manage and reduce the stressful issues of life including mental health, legal, financial and more. Farmers, their families and their employees have unlimited access to services at no cost.
Call for confidential and immediate support 24/7/365.
1-833-754-3692
The Farm Family Support Line is managed as an Employee Assistance Program by Telus Health, funded by Farm Safety Nova Scotia.
Learn more about our Farm Family Support Line >
Obtenga más información sobre nuestro Centro de apoyo para familias agrícolas>
Maintaining Mental Fitness Posts
These tips and supports were created to help farmers and their loved ones get through the COVID-19 pandemic, but the tips and suggestions can be employed during any difficult time.
8 Domains of Well-Being
CASA – Building Wellness on the Farm
Stress is a normal part of life. There are times when stress gives us motivation to accomplish our daily tasks. It provides the adrenaline we need to get jobs done. However, there are times when stress becomes overwhelming and it has a negative impact on our lives. Stress can become so debilitating that it becomes difficult to function. At times like this stress can lead to other mental and physical health issues. And when that happens, we jeopardize our personal safety and the safety of others.
Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety: Farming Mental Health
Farming is more than just work for many; it’s a way of life that is rewarding despite the tough physical work. But now it’s becoming increasingly apparent that the unique challenges faced daily by farmers – from the long hours to the isolation to the many uncertainties beyond their control – can also greatly impact their mental health and well-being.
This infographic outlines some of the many stressors and how they can affect farmers, and what can be done to help support them so they can be healthy and thrive, even in times of uncertainty or stress.
This infographic was developed in partnership with the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association.
Canadian Center for Health & Safety in Agriculture: Farming and Mental Health Stress Inventory Assessment
Use the Canadian Center for Health & Safety in Agriculture Farming and Mental Health Stress Inventory Assessment to evaluate your specific stressors and the levels of stress experienced to include finances, weather, heavy workload, farming relationships, etc.
Once you put your evaluation score into perspective, use the tools, resources and supports available to navigate a path through the stressors to improve your score. Set time aside throughout the year to use the Stress Inventory Assessment to monitor your mental health status and understand the different areas of your mental health that may need attention at any given time or season.
CAMH – Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Mental Health Resources
Mental health resources on when to ask for help, coping with stress, and being alone in Canada are available upon request by contacting the Farmer Wellness Coordinator. E-mail info@farmsafetyns.ca or phone 902-893-2293.
CAMH – centre de toxicomania et de sante mentale
RECURSOS DE SALUD Y BIENESTAR MENTAL
Los recursos de salud mental en español sobre cuándo pedir ayuda, lidiar con el estrés y estar solo en Canadá están disponibles a pedido, comunicándose con Margaret Ells o Caitlyn Creelman, correo electrónico info@farmsafetyns.ca o teléfono 902-957-2785
Emergency Response Model for Mental Health During Agricultural Crisis
Emergency Response Model for Mental Health During Agricultural Crisis is a guidance document with evidence based recommendations for farmers to protect their mental health during an agricultural crisis such as a weather event or a disease outbreak on farm. The recommendations are based on Kelloway’s model for workplace mental health and broken into the three categories of prevention, intervention and recovery.
Learn more about the Emergency Response Model for Mental Health During Agricultural Crisis >
Mobile Apps to Support Mental Health and Wellness
There are a number of apps available that can help you maintain and care for your mental health and wellness. The following applications all offer free resources, as well as additional supports available at cost. Please note that these mobile apps are not affiliated with Farm Safety Nova Scotia and the use of these external services does not replace the advice, guidance and support given by health providers. If you are experiencing a mental health emergency, please call 911 or go to your nearest emergency department.
- Avail – well-being, resilience, and support assistant. Leverage your psychological, physical, and social resources to proactively maintain and recover personal well-being & resilience. Click to download
- Calm – mental fitness, relaxation, & sleep Click to download
- Pay it Forward Click to download
- Doodle App
- Doodle Drawing App for Google Play Click to download
- Doodle Art-Drawing for Apple Click to download
- Hugr Authentic Connections – a mental wellness app designed to help people feel connected. Through the self-guided digital program, individuals can measure their level of social connection, discover how to build and maintain authentic connections, and regularly share how they’re feeling with those closest to them. Click to download
Maintaining Mental Fitness Webinars
Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture applied for, and was grateful to receive, funding from the Canadian Agriculture Partnership (CAP) COVID-19 Response Funding. This funding has allowed us to develop and offer a number of mental health workshops and webinars.
Maintaining Mental Fitness 101: Foundational Elements to Building a Mental Fitness Plan – E-mail info@farmsafetyns.ca for a copy of the recording.
Have you ever thought about your mental fitness? Similar to your physical fitness which is impacted by a number of factors including how well you eat, sleep and exercise. Your mental fitness is significantly impacted by your habits and routines and without intentional focus, especially in times of uncertainty, you can begin to experience adverse effects.
In this presentation Dr. Howatt will discuss the foundational elements of mental health and mental illness, and how our daily experience can influence our personal battery charge. This presentation will also cover the key elements of resilience, coping skills and how micro-skills can charge your daily battery.
Objectives:
In this presentation participants will learn about assessing and building positive mental fitness. This will include:
- Discussing the differences between mental health and mental illness
- Identifying what your “charge” is at today
- Reflection on what charges and drains mental fitness batteries
- Considerations when developing your own mental fitness plan
Coping with Isolation & loneliness – E-mail info@farmsafetyns.ca for a copy of the recording.
Nothing like a pandemic to challenge a society’s ability to feel socially connected. For many, coping with isolation and social distancing can be trying as it is something many of us have not had to do. It makes sense: it is hard because a core pillar for mental health is social connections. Social connections are influenced by our ability to connect with others as well as the quality of those connections at home, at work and in community.
Isolation can be defined as a barrier that has a negative impact on our perception that we can be as social connected with others as we want. There are many different barriers that can negatively impact how a person connects. Financial limitations, social isolation, and psychological safety are three. In this webinar Dr. Howatt will introduce some of his findings around perceived isolation barriers.
Objectives:
In this presentation participants will learn about the key elements to coping with Isolation and Loneliness. This will include:
- Discussing the link between mental health and social connections
- Exploring what perceived isolation is
- Reviewing the link between isolation and loneliness
- Defining what loneliness looks like
Navigating Crisis – E-mail info@farmsafetyns.ca for a copy of the recording.
In life and on the farm we can be challenged by crises we may or may not see. As we are thinking about COVID -19, a hurricane or a drought, we don’t know what the next crisis may bring us. Regardless of whether you are a farmer or a farm worker, having a basic understanding of crisis intervention can help facilitate effective decision making. Howatt HR has taught crisis management for over ten years and has been involved in supporting crises for over 30 years. This presentation will provide some insight into basic crisis intervention to assist in navigating events.
Objectives:
In this presentation participants will learn about how to navigate crisis in your life. This will include:
- Exploring what crisis management is and its benefits
- Reviewing the crisis continuum
- Introducing CALM and its application to crisis intervention
- Examining a six-step model for crisis intervention
