Canadian agriculture has been left in limbo around possible tariffs following U.S. President Donald Trump’s election last year.

Farmers juggle mental health in face of Trump tariffs

Tariff uncertainty may be worse for mental health than if farmers knew for sure that Donald Trump’s tariffs were coming, experts say

Reading Time: 3 minutes Tariff uncertainty may be worse for mental health than if farmers knew for sure that Donald Trump’s tariffs against Canada were coming, experts say

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





(Photo: Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Reuters)

The healing power of the farm

Farmers can play a role in making our society - and the world - stronger and more resilient

Reading Time: 3 minutes Brenda Schoepp column regarding healing power of agriculture and food production for society.

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


Don’t keep your feelings bottled up 

Don’t keep your feelings bottled up 

Reading Time: < 1 minute The Do More Agriculture Foundation has launched a new campaign to raise awareness about the importance of talking about mental health challenges.  The #TalkItOut campaign addresses the stressors those in agriculture face, such as weather uncertainty, market instability and financial pressures, it said.  “Talking it out can help,” said Megz, Reynolds, executive director of Do […] Read more

Government funds mental health

Reading Time: < 1 minute Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced $168,440 in funding for the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing during the inaugural National Symposium on Agricultural Mental Health in early March. The mission of this new not-for-profit organization is to lead research and roll out initiatives in collaboration with community organizations across the country to address […] Read more


Nearly half of us will experience bullying behaviour in our lifetime. Asking for help is the healthy thing to do.

Schoepp: Bullying takes many different forms and occurs in all walks of life

Nearly half of us will experience bullying at some point — asking for help is the healthy thing to do

Reading Time: 4 minutes Once a schoolyard term, bullying has now razed a path through all of society. It happens in our homes, on our farms and at work. Children suffer to the point of taking their lives and tens of thousands of them stay home every day from fear. In Canada, 40 per cent of adults report that […] Read more

“There are farmers who aren’t able to adjust very well as they don’t have those supports available and they don’t have the resources available, and they find themselves in a downward spiral quickly.’ – Rebecca Purc-Stephenson.

UNDER PRESSURE: Group boosts aid for farmers hit by stress

Reading Time: 4 minutes The mental health of farmers is getting more attention these days, but the situation in Alberta isn’t well understood and there are big gaps in support, says a provincial researcher. A landmark study done by the University of Guelph six years ago revealed that many farmers suffer mental-health issues, said Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, a research associate […] Read more