Year: 2021 Source: Finnigan, P., Berthold, L., Dreeshen, E., Shipley, B. Canada. Parliament. House of Commons. Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food & Conservative Party of Canada ( -1942), SIEC No: 20210184

Recent data shows that 7% of Canadians perceive their mental health as fair or poor. Some studies indicated that farmers are more at risk of such challenges. Many witnesses told the Committee that mental health issues are prevalent in their occupation. Some even shared their own experiences in dealing with mental distress. This report identifies the many stressors that make producers particularly vulnerable to mental health problems. They live with many uncertainties that put them under significant pressure, such as weather events, environmental challenges, market fluctuations, debt, regulations and paperwork. The isolation that many farmers experience and the stigmatization they sometimes face, particularly on social media, amplify this stress. The report also looks at initiatives across the country to support producers facing mental
health challenges. They have been implemented both provincially and nationally by associations, governments and groups of individuals in the agriculture and health sectors. This support takes several forms—telephone help lines, consultations with mental health and agricultural professionals, a