ONTARIO GRAIN FARMER RURAL LIVING 29 A FOCUS ON INCLUSIVITY Another aim of the study is to help increase inclusivity in farming. The study results, expected in 18-24 months, will shed a betterrounded light on all farmers’ mental health, which Jones and her colleagues have found to be appreciably more compromised compared to the general public’s mental health. Research by Jones and others has revealed that stress, anxiety scores, and suicide ideation are higher in Canadian farmers than in non-farmers. For this study, the research team, which includes two graduate students, will conduct 60-90-minute online interviews with farmers in the target groups. They’re aiming to interview 30 members from each group and are offering an honorarium of $200. The farmers will be asked to discuss their perceptions of climate change, the emotions they feel when dealing with it, and its impact on their mental health and well-being. Jones and her colleagues want to know how farmers outside of the traditional mainstream are coping, as well as their recommendations for supporting mental health, well-being and resilience to climate change in Canadian agriculture. “Canadian agriculture will be most adaptable and sustainable when it is truly inclusive of the diversity of farmers,” Jones says. This research extends studies on the mental health impacts of extreme weather being conducted with mainstream Ontario farmers by Jones and Ph.D. candidate Shelly Thompson. For more information, visit https://ajresearch.ca/climate-mentalhealth-and-equity-deserving-populations • PREVIOUS RESEARCH BY JONES AND ASSOCIATES FOUND THAT: 35% of farmers meet the classifications for depression For more information on support and programs to support farmers, their families, and farm workers, visit www.gfo.ca/farmerwellness of farmers meet the classifications for anxiety 58% of farmers report high stress 45% of farmers are more susceptible than the general population to chronic stress, which can lead to physical and mental illnesses 68%
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