Big Yikes: Mental Health in Farming? That's Kinda Messed Up 🚜😔
Mental health in Agriculture: facing the silent struggles in rural Alberta. Okay, fam, so word is Alberta farmers are going through it frfr. We're talking major anxiety, depression vibes, and all that not-so-good stuff. Blame it on the weather being sus, the market doing its own thing, and feeli
TL:DR
Okay, fam, so word is Alberta farmers are going through it frfr. We're talking major anxiety, depression vibes, and all that not-so-good stuff. Blame it on the weather being sus, the market doing its own thing, and feeling super isolated. Plus, getting help is low-key impossible in the sticks. But there's a group, Demeria Memorial Fund, tryna throw some healing into the mix, with horses. Yeah, horses.
The Deets
Alright, so let's get into it. Turns out, mental health is a whole PROBLEM for farmers in Alberta, no cap. We're talking levels of stress that are straight-up NOT okay. Between the weather being totally unpredictable and the markets playing games, these folks are stressed. And don't even get me STARTED on the loneliness. Like, imagine being out in the middle of nowhere, trying to keep it all together. That's tough.
And the WORST part? Getting help is like finding a unicorn. Seriously, it's so hard to find mental health services when you're living that rural life. It's either too far, too expensive, or people just don't want to talk about it because of the stigma. It's giving "we gotta be tough," which is so last season.
BUT, there's some hope. This group called the Demeria Memorial Fund is trying to make a difference. They're throwing events and getting the word out there, tryna make mental wellness a thing. And get this, they're even doing equine-based therapy. Yeah, therapy with horses. Apparently, it's supposed to be super chill and healing, which honestly, sounds kinda fire. They're calling it "Healing with Horses" and it's going down in northeast Alberta.
Also, can we talk about the financial stress? Buying land is expensive af, and the food prices are all over the place. It's making it nearly impossible for younger farmers to take over the fam's land. It's a whole generational struggle, and it's adding even more pressure to the mental health sitch.
So yeah, farming is HARD, and it's messing with people's heads. Let's give these farmers some love and support, and maybe help break the stigma around mental health, for real.
Abbreviations Glossary
| Abbreviation | Full Form |
|---|---|
| no cap | Seriously, truthfully (like "no lie"). |
| frfr | for real for real. |
| sus | Suspicious, questionable. |
| af | as f*ck - used to intensify a word. |
| giving | conveying a certain vibe or impression. |
| last season | old, outdated, not trendy. |
| fire | excellent or amazing. |
| sitch | Situation. |
| the sticks | A rural, remote area. |