Tracy Young is a seasoned mental health clinician and dedicated advocate for rural mental health. She is a Counsellor for the MB Farmer Wellness Program and co-leads the Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health, Brandon University, where her current research focus is agricultural resilience and wellbeing.
Tracy tells us about her work with the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program, a free service to Manitoba farmers, farm families and farm workers. This program allows individuals to access 9 sessions of counselling services at no cost.
Tracy also is the Co-lead for the Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health at Brandon University. Tracy shares a bit about her work in this role, including launching a new study called, “What Works” which is focusing on what is working for farmers to handle stress, or those tools in their “toolbox” that help with their mental health. Tracy is hoping to have results from this study available in the Spring of 2027.
We chat about the “Deep Rooted” Documentary, a Film by Kyle McDonnell and about the status of mental health in Canadian Agriculture. “Deep Rooted” is a 33 minute documentary featuring four Canadian farmers and ranchers who share their mental health struggles, as well as several mental health experts who talk on the topic.
It is discussed that the rate of suicide is 20-30% higher among farmers and ranchers in Canada than that of the rest of the population. We have talked about mental health in agriculture previously on the podcast, and often we talk about the stigma and shame associated with mental health challenges. We discuss whether the stigma in agriculture is changing and what we can do each day to help reduce the stigma.
If you or someone you know is struggling with your mental health, please reach out to a friend, a counsellor or visit one of these websites to access resources. Without the farmer, there is no farm.
Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health Website:
Centre for Critical Studies of Rural Mental Health
CBC News Article on the Documentary & Resources: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/deep-rooted-mental-health-agriculture-documentary-1.7584959
Resources:
CRISIS SUPPORT:
NATIONAL FARMER CRISIS LINE: 1-866-327-6701 (1-866-FARMS01)
SUICIDE CRISIS HELP LINE : Call 9-8-8 Text: 9-8-8 or visit 988.ca
If you need immediate help, please visit your local emergency department or call 911.
AGTALK: domore.ag/agtalk
Online support and connection, with 24/7 clinical moderators
CRISIS SERVICES CANADA: Call 1-833-456-4566 Text 45645
www.crisisservicescanada.ca
MENTAL HEALTH LINE: Call 211 Website 211.ca and click on your province
KIDS HELP PHONE: Text: 686868
FIRST NATIONS & INUIT HOPE FOR WELLNESS LINE: 1-855-242-3310
COUNSELING SUPPORT:
MANITOBA FARMER WELLNESS PROGRAM - counselling for farmers
www.manitobafarmerwellness.ca
info@manitobafarmerwellness.ca
204-232-0574
MANITOBA FARM, RURAL &
NORTHERN SUPPORT SERVICES
1-866-367-3276
www.supportline.ca
MANITOBA SUICIDE PREVENTION AND SUPPORT LINE
1-877-435-7170
www.reasontolive.ca
MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES, SUPPORTS, and RESOURCES:
THE DO MORE AGRICULTURE FOUNDATION:
The Do More Agriculture Foundation OR www.domore.ag
Producer Self Check-In:
Farmer Wellness: Break the Mental Health Stigma with our Help
PRAIRIE MOUNTAIN HEALTH:
Mental Health - Prairie Mountain Health
SOUTHERN HEALTH:
Mental Health & Addictions - Southern Health-Santé Sud
MENTAL HEALTH COMMISSION OF CANADA:
www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
CANADIAN MENTAL HEALTH ASSOCIATION:
Canadian Mental Health Association - National l A Mental Health Charity
APPLIED SUICIDE INTERVENTION SKILLS TRAINING:
www.livingworks.net
CANADIAN ASSOCIATION FOR SUICIDE PREVENTION:
www.suicideprevention.ca
NATIONAL FARMER MENTAL HEALTH ALLIANCE:
National Farmer Mental Health Alliance
NATIONAL FARMER WELLNESS NETWORK:
ccaw.ca/national-farmer-wellness-network/
Canada’s Suicide Crisis Helpline Call or Text 988
Kids Help Phone 1-800-668-6868 or Text 686868
Previous “Beef & Forage Roundup” episodes focusing on Mental Health in Ag:
Episode #17 Mental Health in Agriculture with Kim Moffat
Episode #86 Mental Health in Agriculture with Lesley Kelly
Episode #87 Mental Health in Agriculture with Briana Hagen
Episode #88 The Recovering Farmer with Gerry Friesen
Episode #89 Mental Health in Agriculture with Donna Oddell
The research programs and daily operations at MBFI would not be possible without the funding from the Province of Manitoba, Government of Canada, and Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, as well as the partnership with Manitoba Agriculture, Manitoba Beef Producers (MBP) and Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC).
We encourage you to follow MBFI on social media, or check out the website for more information on project findings and results, upcoming events and more!
Instagram: @MBBeefandForage
Facebook: @MBBeefandForage
X (Twitter): @MBBeefandForage
Website: www.mbfi.ca
Email address: information@mbfi.ca
Mary-Jane’s Phone Number: 431-255-0011
