By Becky Hunt, CMHA Grey Bruce
The colours this fall have been stunning and hopefully you’ve been able to take a few moments and observe Mother Nature’s colour show! This time of year brings apples, pumpkins and all things cozy! As you are bringing in crops to prepare your fields and livestock for the winter, it might also be a good time to consider what you might do to prepare yourself for winter.
We all know that farming can be isolating and the rates of stress, depression, anxiety and suicidal thoughts are rising among our Canadian farmers. Perhaps you are experiencing this or are aware of someone who is. There are always stressors that come along with farming that we have no control over – weather, world markets, supply chain shortages, rising costs etc. One thing that remains in your control is how you take care of yourself and how you act. Easier said than done right?
One way we can do this is to look at letting go. Just as the trees have just shown us, there is beauty in letting go. As we approach these winter months, what are some things that you could consider letting go of? Things that are not serving you or adding to your wellness? What are some things you would like to plant to come to fruition in the Spring? There is a hope in planting in the fall and seeing the crop come up in the Spring after lying dormant for a few months after gathering and storing the nutrients needed to thrive.
Most often winter can be long and isolating – the hours of darkness, the bitter cold, burst pipes and all the winter trials and tribulations. Can you also view winter as a season of rest and reflection and use it to build on your wellness?
There are many things you can do to build your wellness – socialize with people who bring you joy, join local activities, join a service club, connect with an old friend or acquaintance, start a gratitude practice, learn a new skill or brush up on existing skills, attend a mental health first aid course etc. Do something that brings you a feeling of connectedness or joy.
There are times when you may need to reach out. If you are feeling suicidal attend at your nearest Emergency Room. You can also call Talk Suicide Canada – a national support line that can offer support and help with safety planning 1 833 456 4566. They have a texting service and website – check it out before you need it.
The Farmer Wellness Initiative offers free counseling for individuals who are struggling as well as their family members.  Their website is: https://farmerwellnessinitiative.ca/
And lastly, the Guardian Network is a volunteer suicide prevention program: www.guardiannetwork.ca and In The Know is a mental health literacy program: https://ontario.cmha.ca/intheknow. These offer education and skills training to assist someone who might be struggling.
Here is a link with some information to consider the season of Fall and the pruning that happens and the energy shift to winter where incubation and rest are the focus. https://chopra.com/articles/letting-go-a-guided-meditation-for-fall
Take care of yourself and those around you!