Alberta counsellor wants to shine spotlight on mental health of farmers

Several studies have come out in recent years regarding the mental health of those in the agriculture sector. St. Albert Gazette/File

With next week being the 75th Annual Mental Health Week in Canada, an Alberta-based mental health professional wants to make producers aware of the resources available and encourage them to have that conversation.

“We are able to work farmers on their own schedules based on what they need,” said Rasha Taha, a registered social worker with the Calgary Counselling Centre.

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It’s an issue that resonates for Taha, who grew up riding horses in the countryside.

“It’s always been a massive passion of mine,” said Taha.

Riding horses has led Taha to hold conversations with people who live in rural communities, an area she believes doesn’t have mental health supports and resources.

Several studies have come out in recent years regarding the mental health of those in the agriculture sector.

One study from the University of Guelph had several findings, including that the mental health of farmers is worse now than it was five years ago. The research team from the Ontario-based university found farmers had higher levels of stress, anxiety, depression, emotional exhaustion and cynicism, suicide ideation and lowered resilience than the national average.

Taha says the Calgary Counselling Centre does offer farm counselling.

“We (Calgary Counselling Centre) work with anyone in Alberta,” said Taha.

One of the things Taha wants to keep addressing is the stigma surrounding asking for help.

Part of that work, she says, will involve the younger generation encouraging the older figures in their life to reach out.

“It doesn’t make you weak, it doesn’t make you incapable,” said Taha. “It actually makes you quite strong.”

David Boles, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, St. Albert Gazette