Alberta service aims to address mental health needs of farmers and ranchers

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Calgary, Alta. (Rural Roots Canada) – For many farmers, the workday doesn’t end when they leave the field, park the tractor or finish chores in the barn.

The farm is often their home, workplace and livelihood all at once. That connection can make it difficult to separate personal life from work.

That is one of the reasons Counselling Alberta offers a farm-informed counselling program designed specifically for agricultural producers and their families.

“The stressors and pressures that people experience on the farm are unique and different from what other pressures would be,” said Sarah Hughes, associate director with the Calgary Counselling Centre.

“Your livelihood becomes everything. There’s very little separation between what you do on the farm and when you come home,” she said.

The program connects Albertans with counsellors who have received specialized training to better understand the realities of farming and ranching.

Hughes said producers face many challenges that are largely outside their control. Market fluctuations, global economic pressures and weather conditions can all have a significant impact on a farm operation.

“Those things become a little bit more difficult to manage,” she said. “They’re very unique to the farming community.”

Unlike many occupations, farming also comes with a workload that rarely follows a set schedule.

“If something happens and you’ve got to be there to look after the livestock and take care of them if they get sick, it’s a job that doesn’t seem to have a beginning and end to it,” Hughes said.

While conversations around mental health have become more common in recent years, Hughes acknowledges that some producers may still be hesitant to seek out support.

She said one of the biggest benefits of counselling is helping people feel less isolated.

“What we’ve seen is it really allows people to not carry that burden entirely on their own,” she said.

Counsellors work with clients to develop practical strategies that fit into daily life. Hughes said even small actions, such as staying connected with friends, family members or neighbours, can make a meaningful difference.

The service is available virtually, allowing people to access counselling from their homes or wherever they feel most comfortable.

Hughes said virtual delivery can help address concerns about privacy and accessibility, particularly in rural communities where mental health resources may be limited.

Research conducted by the Calgary Counselling Centre since 2022 has found that clients experience benefits from virtual counselling that are comparable to, and in some cases greater than, those of in-person services.

Hughes said many producers may not realize services like this are available.

“The more that we can get the word out that there are services out there to support this really important, vital community in Alberta, we’re really happy to be a part of that.”

Farmers interested in learning more about the program can contact Counselling Alberta online or by phone.

The post Alberta service aims to address mental health needs of farmers and ranchers first appeared on Rural Roots Canada.