The Integrated University Health and Social Center of Mauricie-et-du-Centre-du-Québec (CIUSSS MCQ) announced on Monday the launch of a pilot project to provide mental health support to farmers in the region.
THE CIUSSS MCQs dedicates two new speakers to the project entitled Access and references for agricultural producers and their environment. Regional public health cooperates with the organization At the Heart of Farming Families (ACFA) on this matter.
This project aims to help farmers in the area CIUSSS MCQs.
Two stakeholders have a mandate in order to ensure the care of agricultural clients who need psychosocial monitoring
they also have the mission of guiding farmers within the health system and raising the awareness of health workers about the reality of this clientele.
THE CIUSSS MCQs paints a black portrait of the psychological situation of farmers in the region, the press release states that 58% of agricultural producers have symptoms of anxiety, while 35% of them have symptoms of depression
.
ACFA shows that in 2022 it carried out more than 750 interventions with its police officers in the nine regions covered by its services.
The main reasons for consultation are family conflicts related to the professional sphere, stress and anxiety, relationship problems and work overload
we read in the press release.
It is a very unique profession, in which we do not count the hours and where the results of our work partly depend on external factors, and sometimes with serious consequences, such as the weather.
indicates the Minister of Social Welfare Lionel Carmant.
Samuel Gosselin, General ManagerACFAlooks forward to what he considers a a big step forward for access to care
.
It is truly the most useful and profitable helping hand for the health of our producers.
He said.
A difficult year
for farmers
This help for farmers is timely according to Daniel Abel, president of the Center-du-Québec UPA regional federation, who notes that the past year has been difficult for the morale of farmers.
This has been a difficult year, we just have to remember the inflationary jump we experienced during 2022 and 2023, then the interest rates started attacking us, let’s also remember the episode of climatic conditions we experienced during the summer season of 2023.
He said.
These are elements that are often invisible and that put tremendous pressure on agricultural producers, which makes them extremely vulnerable to psychological problems.
he adds.
He adds that farmers often do not come to seek help.
When we experience events that affect us, we will often turn it into a trial that we must go through.
He said.
He remembers itadding tests to each other without any moments of respite (…) at a certain point a human being no longer functions
.
Mr. Abel explains that the reality of farmers who need help is not so simple, especially since some of them do not have a substitute to take over in case of their absence.
If tomorrow morning I get a doctor’s order to go and rest for two weeks. There must be someone who is responsible for running the business, and this often becomes an additional element of stress.
adds Mr. Abel.
With information from Edouard Dubois
Report by Edouard Dubois
Photo: Radio Canada / Lynda Paradis