24 Industry News period of time. Then pig shipments came to a halt, disease issues ramped up, and feed costs increased. The combination was overwhelming, and the stress took a toll on Skinner’s mental health. “There were two periods in 2021 when suicide was as close for me as ever, with a mind desperate to escape the pain and only a mental image of a loving partner and two beautiful children to shine through the darkness,” he says. Looking back, Skinner believes the challenges of 2021 likely made him a better farmer. But he says it also made him more cynical about the progress our society has made in terms of mental health. He advocates for a national helpline for farmers, a pharmacare system where financial position doesn’t impact the process of finding the right medication, and improved accessibility to therapy. Skinner and Kelly were recognized as the 2023 Ontario Outstanding Young Farmers. BETH O’NEIL, AILSA CRAIG, ONTARIO O’Neil is passionate about improving mental health in agriculture and has taken a unique approach to advocating. She grew up on her family’s beef and crop operation and while she enjoys helping on the farm, she isn’t pursuing a traditional career in agriculture. Instead, O’Neil is studying mental health with the goal of becoming a registered psychotherapist who specializes in working with the farming community. “I have always been interested in the area of mental health, and over time, I’ve realized how important it is in agriculture,” she says. “I want to combine my background and education to provide understanding and assistance to those living in the unique culture that is agriculture.” O’Neil studied psychology at the University of Guelph and is now pursuing a master’s degree in counselling psychology at Yorkville University. She stays informed about the latest farmer mental health research and incorporates an agricultural perspective into her studies whenever possible. She is also an active volunteer with the Guardian Network (guardiannetwork.ca), a peer-driven community that supports Ontario’s farming community. “Guardians are trained to identify when someone is struggling with mental health or suicidal thoughts, effectively communicate with that individual about hard topics, decrease the stigma of getting help for mental health, and provide appropriate resources so they can access professional support,” explains O’Neil. The prevalence of mental illness, suicide idealization and suicide in agriculture is ultimately what is driving O’Neil to continue her education and become registered. “When you think about mental health and what can impact it, a lot of it is about the stressors that are in your environment and how the stressors impact you and your family,” she explains. “In farming, there are so many things out of your control that impact your income, and it can be hard to work with family and live on the same property you work on.” To anyone who may be currently struggling with their mental health, O’Neil shares this message: “You are not alone. If you were to bring up a discussion about what you’re feeling with another person, it’s very likely that they have had a similar experience at some point in their life. There are confidential resources available to you and you are not weak for accessing professional help.” She encourages participation in the Farmer Wellness Initiative, a program that provides Ontario farmers, farm families, farm employees, and spouses and dependents of farm employees with free, unlimited mental health counselling. THE SUPPORT LINE (1-866-267-6255) IS ACCESSIBLE 24 HOURS A DAY, SEVEN DAYS A WEEK AND EVERY DAY OF THE YEAR. • continued from page 23 BETH O’NEIL. PHOTO SUPPLIED.
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