Today marks Bell Lets Talk Day.
Social media is flooding with the use of the hashtag, #BellLetsTalk. 5 cents from every hashtag will be donated to mental health initiatives across Canada. The Listowel Agriculture Society has had tools to help farmers with their mental health struggles for many months now. Elizabeth Johnston, President of the Listowel Agriculture Society says farmers are just as prone to mental health problems like anyone else.
“Those within agriculture tend to be the ones that are thought to being a rock and being steadfast. We know that isn’t the case but it does make it very hard for people to open up and seek the help they need.” said Elizabeth
She added the numbers on farmers mental health is far from low.
“35 percent of farmers meet the classification for depression, 58 percent meet the classification for anxiety. 45 percent report high stress and 68 percent are found to be more susceptible to chronic stress which leads to physical and mental illness.”
The toolbox with local farmers and community members sharing their mental health experiences can be found on TheFarmersToolbox.com
