A new patient-oriented research project from Saskatchewan Polytechnic is looking for volunteers from the agriculture industry to help identify the key features needed to develop effective mental health supports for farmers.
Funded by Sask Polytech, the Saskatchewan Centre for Patient Research and the Saskatchewan Health Research Program, the Farmer and Rancher Mental Health (FARMh) initiative is looking for farmers and ranchers to volunteer for confidential phone interviews with researchers about their mental health.
“Our research team is currently recruiting Saskatchewan farmer and rancher volunteers to participate in a 30-60-minute phone interview for the FARMh study,” said Michelle Pavloff, Sask Polytech research chair for rural health and principal investigator, in a press release.
The study will use information gathered from the interviews to identify the key features needed to create a mental health strategy tailored to Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers.
Studies show that farming is a high-stress occupation, leaving farmers and ranchers at a high risk for anxiety and depression due to many challenges that are beyond their control — like weather, pests and disease and volatile markets.
The Sask Polytech research team is hoping to better understand the mental health challenges that farmers face by hearing their personal experiences, in order to create informed and practical supports for the agriculture industry.
FARMh has received funding through grants and private donors, including a $26,800 donation from rancher Will Banford and his family business Red Rock Land & Cattle, located near Eastend, Sask.
“The FARMh team is thankful for the support we have received to date. We are passionate about improving the mental health of Saskatchewan people, particularly those in the agricultural industry,” said Pavloff. “Everyone on the FARMh research team comes from a rural or agricultural background. We are excited to create a program to help farmers and ranchers receive the right resources at the right time to support their mental health.”
Participation in the study is currently open to any Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers over the age of 18 who own or lease their farm and are currently working on their farm.
Phase One of the study has already begun and will continue until the fall, collecting the information necessary to begin planning a strategy or program.
Phase Two of the study will begin early in 2022, developing the strategy or program to be implemented for Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers. All results from FARMh will be available for the public to view during this stage, shared on the FARMh website.
For more information about FARMh or to volunteer to take part, contact Michelle Pavloff at Sask Polytech, by email at michelle.pavloff@saskpolytech.ca or by calling 1 (639) 414-3276.
