Farmers tend to be pretty good at looking after the farm. But who looks after the farmer? 

 

Gerry Friesen, a former farmer who now works with the Manitoba Farm Debt Mediation Board and the Manitoba Farm and Rural Stress Line, is well aware that the stress associated with farming can become so overwhelming, it can lead to feelings of helplessness and powerlessness, and even depression. 

 

He knows, because he’s been there. 

 

“As a farmer, I could feed a small city, but I had a hard time feeding myself,” he told a seminar at the Manitoba Ag Days Tuesday. 

 

Friesen ultimately sold the farm after determining he wanted to follow a different career path. He also sought help for his anxiety attacks, irritability and tendency to take on more than he could handle. 

 

But it first started with opening up to a friend who listened. Although men are cultured to believe they must be strong and stoic, there are times when the strongest thing they can do — is find outside help. 

 

How to recognize and deal with male depression is the subject of two workshops planned for February 16 and 18 in Brandon. 

 

Sponsored by the United Way, the workshops will provide farmers, their families, friends and rural service providers with information on how to identify the signs of depression in men, and how to help them get help addressing it.

 

A recent study by the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association found that two thirds of farmers admit to feeling stressed and one in five say they are very stressed. The three leading causes are production related issues, government policy and the farm’s financial status. 

 

Farmers may not be able to control the weather or influence the markets, but they can learn methods of maintaining their resilience in the face of those challenges 

 

The workshops are open to all and will be held at the Provincial Building in Brandon.