Agriculture groups encourage mental health conversations throughout October

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Calgary, Alta. (Rural Roots Canada) – As the agriculture industry plows through harvest, two organizations are encouraging ag workers to make time for a conversation that can be just as important as the work itself.

BASF Agricultural Solutions Canada and The Do More Agriculture Foundation are partnering for a third year on #TalkItOutTag, a social media campaign encouraging more open conversations about mental health across Canadian agriculture.

The campaign runs throughout October, with participants invited to use prompts from Do More Ag’s Talk It Out conversation cards to share their thoughts and experiences online.

Participants can then tag others in the agriculture community, keeping the conversation going and encouraging more people to take part.

Organizers say the goal is to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, create opportunities for meaningful conversations and remind people who may be struggling that they are not alone.

The campaign comes as agriculture continues to grapple with the unique pressures facing farmers and others working in the industry, including long hours, financial uncertainty, isolation and the unpredictable nature of the business.

The organizations say creating space for conversations about mental health is an important step toward making it easier for people to acknowledge when they are struggling and seek support.

With #TalkItOutTag now entering its third year, organizers are hoping the conversation will extend beyond social media and become part of a broader effort to make mental health a more visible part of the agriculture community.

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