Jon TysonRebecca Purc-Stephenson, a psychology professor at the University of Alberta’s Augustana campus, is investigating how farmers self-manage stress.
Her study aims to share efficient coping strategies for farmers and to develop resources to better manage their mental health.
This is critical because of the unique stressors farmers face and the impact mental health has on farming productivity. Her study includes interviewing farmers and farm-informed therapists to learn what coping strategies farmers frequently use.
“There are so many barriers to accessing care,” Purc-Stephenson said. Farming isn’t only an occupation, but also a lifestyle, she explained. It’s harder for farmers to distance themselves from everyday stressors, which often accumulates until they experience a mental health crises.
There has also been an increase in farmer suicides in recent years. Factors such as isolation and maintaining a “farmer identity” can contribute to poorer mental health, according to a study Purc-Stephenson previously conducted. For many, farming is not only a job, but a central part of who they are.
She found a link between lack of separation of work and personal life and decreased mental health rates. Unique factors like working closely with family and executing hard physical labour introduce challenges. Many farmers also maintain a job off the farm and have dual responsibilities.
High stress levels may lead to greater rumination on the job, and can prevent farmers from taking action on decisions, Purc-Stephenson explained.
Despite available research on coping strategies, they might not be translated for farm reality
Researchers have also thoroughly investigated the types of stressors farmers face. Yet little is still known about how farmers can address those stressors.
The work farmers do is closely tied to their identity, and puts extra pressure on farmers to succeed within their occupation.
It’s impossible to remove stressors like the weather or market, so the study aims to find out what farmers can do during the day to manage stress. Many of the responses Purc-Stephenson has collected so far share a common theme. Farmers often unwind by having a couple of drinks at the end of the day or spending time with company after work.
But “very little focuses on what they do during the day,” she said. Her study hopes to eliminate that research gap.
Purc-Stephenson explained that a helpful strategy is to dedicate a specific time of the day to worry. This helps ease the mind by creating a set time to ruminate on a specific stressor. Farmers can then better focus on the task at hand.
“What we’re hoping is to learn about some strategies that work well on the farm.” Statements such as telling farmers to be more mindful is not helpful, Purc-Stephenson said. It’s important to use language that translates to farmers’ realities.
“We would love to translate this into a practical workshop that could be shared,” Purc-Stephenson says
The goal is to give farmers enough coping strategies to help alleviate some of the stress they face. Especially since some stressors are out of their control.
“I think the next frontier of farmer mental health research is working on actually supporting farmers, and providing them with resources or adapting care for them.”
