For some city dwellers, farming is considered a lucrative, somewhat leisurely and coveted lifestyle but a mental health survey of farmers indicates otherwise.
The online survey of 1,100 Canadian farmers showed one in eight farmers feels burned out by the occupation and the demands of needing to be an expert in management, sales and marketing, as well as animal care and crop production.
Two per cent of survey participants feel disengaged while one in five feels over-extended by emotional exhaustion.
One in four feels ineffective, while only 41 per cent feel engaged and comfortable with their livelihood.
Farmers start out engaged then become ineffective, over-extended, disengaged and eventually burned out.
The survey in 2015-2016 by researcher Andria Jones-Britton from the University of Guelph points to farmer risk of developing mental health conditions and chronic diseases.
Burnout has links to diseases such as diabetes, respiratory disease, and gastro-intestinal disease.
Mental health impacts from burnout include depression and insomnia.
Jones-Britton says burnout is associated with lower efficiency on the job, declining job satisfaction and lower productivity.
Not all farmers experienced issues, with those volunteering or in sports or faith groups feeling better. Couples with good communications worked well together and made life concerns easier to bear.
Jones-Britton believes more farm help to lessen work pressures would help but shortages of labour and high turnover prevent that option.
Better social supports will help improve mental health among farmers.
She has lobbied extensively, including with Parliament, for a national farm mental health strategy.
Ron Walter can be reached at ronjoy@sasktel.net
