Rooted in Strength to help ag producers mental health

Farm Credit Canada has partnered with mental health experts to create a publication called Rooted In Strength to help address agriculture related stress.

The 64-page, bilingual publication was created in late 2018, is accessible to everyone in Canada.

“We're part of the agriculture industry,” explains Carla Warnyca, Community Investment Manager for Farm Credit Canada.

“We really feel it is important work and our role to support the industry.”

Warnyca says there was a need for such a publication because helpful resources were lacking and so, Farm Credit Canada partnered with experts in the industry to discuss appropriate content.

After talking with the experts, FCC compiled the information together.

Since Rooted in Strength was created, 200,000 copies have been distributed due to the demand for helpful information being so high among those within the agricultural community.

Farm Credit Canada is currently in the process of creating more, as the demand is ongoing.

“That means people are finding it helpful,” Warnyca states.

“All the feedback we've had so far has been really positive. I encourage people to access the publication, as our employees are, are very engaging and very determined to help share the story in and do what they can to reduce the stigma as well.”

Warnyca says that Rooted In Strength talks about including how to address stigmas with openness and understanding, how people can take better care of themselves and contribute to their own mental wellness.

There's also a dashboard to help people determine where they are at or where loved ones are at in terms of overall wellness.

“The colors in the dashboard are green, yellow, orange, or red,” Warnyca says.

“Green means that you’re at optimal health in all areas. Yellow states that your health is becoming affected by stress, while orange means you’re gravitating towards a state of burnout. Red means that you are shuddering from stress related illnesses, depression, or mental illness.”

Information on the dashboard can be found at https://www.fccfac.ca/fcc/knowledge/wellness/mhdashboard-e.pdf and information about Rooted In Strength can be found at https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/ag-knowledge/wellness. html.

“We really hope that Rooted In Strength is helpful and can make a difference,” Warnyca said.

“I feel like it already is, as the things we're hearing back in terms of anecdotal feedback has been so positive. We're grateful it's having an impact in hope and we hope it continues to.”