The crisis line is available at 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701) to provide confidential assistance to those in need (Photo: Andrii Zorii/Getty Images)

Launching National Farmer Crisis Line

Crisis line is available at 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701)

As farming gleans stress from a variety of sources, the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing announced on Feb. 4 that it has set up the National Farmer Wellness Network. The crisis line is available free of charge and was designed specifically for the mental health challenges faced by Canadian farmers, their families as well as […] Read more





There are things producers can do to cope with a decline in their mental health while working on a succession plan, one thing in particular is starting a succession plan early and maintaining it through the years as the farm changes and children grow up.

Managing mental health during succession planning on the family farm

Succession planning is never easy, but understanding the pressure points and how to cope go a long way

When Doreen Blumhagen was starting her family, the farm was where she wanted to be. Blumhagen and her husband, Shannon, own and operate their farm near Halkirk, Alta., where they have grown crops and raised cattle for over 30 years. The sprawling, flat prairie dotted with wind turbines and herds of cattle is where Blumhagen […] Read more

When confronted with large and difficult decisions, one author suggests giving them some space, letting the ideas percolate and then coming back to them for better solutions.

Conscious and subconscious brain: It’s all in our heads, or is it?

Depth of Field with Kelly Sidoryk

Simon Sinek, author and inspirational speaker, has some very interesting ideas on our brain and how it works. He relates our conscious brain to being in the range of two feet. We can access all the information that is in that two-foot area to make quick decisions. This is also the logical, thinking, rational part […] Read more


Graphic: Supplied

VIDEO: Positive psychology

Depth of File with Kelly Sidoryk

The other day when trying to determine price insurance coverage for grass yearlings, we received a text from our buyer: “This is not for the faint of heart.” This caused me to reflect on non-ag businesses who, from my perspective, do not seem to have to deal with so many variables beyond their control. However, […] Read more

File photo of northern Alberta farmland. (Wonganan/iStock/Getty Images)

Survey to look at farm stress from Alberta angle

Study to explore farmers' levels of resilience against stress

Researchers from the University of Alberta and AgKnow, the province’s farmer mental health network, are looking to build up Alberta-specific data on farming stress, mental health and well-being, and the ways in which farmers cope. They study team is “looking for farmers, ranchers, or anyone who works or lives on a farm” to participate, researchers […] Read more



Farmers face a number of uncontrollable factors that can lead to high rates of depression, anxiety, even suicide. (Eclipse_images/E+/Getty Images)

Free mental health training, workshops offered for farmers

Do More Ag Foundation expands programming available

Farmers seeking mental health support will have access to free training and community workshops for the fourth year in a row via the Do More Agriculture Foundation (DMAF) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC). Factors such as financial insecurity, uncontrollable weather and isolating working conditions contribute to high depression, anxiety and suicide rates among farmers, according […] Read more