Culling livestock when serious disease strikes is devastating for farmers, and University of Alberta research suggests ways to better help them cope with the stress.
A group of 20 farmers, veterinarians and industry workers who’d experienced such outbreaks were asked to describe the impact on their mental health, to find out how to strengthen their resilience.
The analysis revealed five big challenges: emotional distress, threats to farmers’ identity as competent producers, economic burdens, distrust and frustration with authorities, and issues related to adaptation.
To address those issues, the study recommends changes to the federal agricultural emergency management framework to integrate mental health supports during four phases of animal disease management.
That includes prevention through biosecurity and mental health education; preparation through emergency planning, cultural training for responders, sharing depopulation protocols, and identifying crisis counsellors; response with clear communication, procedural toolkits and an industry liaison; and recovery focused on policy review with farmers’ input and access to long-term mental health counselling.
More effective mental health support in emergency management for the farming community is vital, says study lead Rebecca Purc-Stephenson, co-author of similar work with veterinarians.
“With major outbreaks such as avian flu, these crises affect farms far beyond economic concerns.”