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Presented by Lauren Van Ewyk & Angie Brenner

October 16, 2026

Western Ontario Municipal Conference

Cultivating Resilience - Supporting Mental Health in Rural and Agricultural Communities�

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Who we are...

The National Farmer Mental Health Alliance seeks to advocate for wellness services for farmers, their families and their community, internationally. Living in rural North American is considered a determinate of health in which women have experienced significant decline in their wellness post covid (Deacon et al., 2022). Rural children are 4-6X more likely to die by suicide than urban children (Mental Health a Priority for our Farmers, 2019), and 25% Canadian farmers have thought their life is not worth living, contemplated suicide and wanted to give up (Thompson et al., 2021).

We seek are a group of masters level trained therapists, social workers and allied health professionals who seek to continue to develop a community of practice ensuring rural practitioners are supported in their work with the rural community

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Mission

Our mission is to sustain the well-being of agricultural communities across Canada and beyond. We bridge clinical expertise with lived agricultural experience by delivering evidence-based therapy, self-care tools, and open conversations to ensure credible, barrier-free support is always within reach.

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Vision Statement

The NFMHA Inc. envisions a future where agricultural communities have accessible, credible, and relevant mental health support, and where mental health professionals are equipped to provide care that reflects the realities of agricultural life.

Purpose:

We exist to bridge the gap between agriculture and mental health by serving two key groups:

1. Farmers & Rural Communities

We provide accessible education, digital resources, practical coping strategies, and on-demand supports that normalize mental health conversations and reduce barriers to care.

2. Therapists & Mental Health Professionals

We equip clinical professionals through Agriculture Informed Therapy™ (AIT™), educational webinars, training, and practical resources to provide informed and effective care to agricultural communities.

3. Building for the Future

We strengthen this work through strategic partnerships, digital innovation, communication, and ethical, evidence-based research to continually improve programs, resources, and training and respond to the evolving needs of agricultural communities across Canada and beyond.

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The 4 Pillars

Provide nationally recognized culturally informed training for therapists

AIT TM

Provide direct counselling services to farmers and their families

Research

Partner with Stakeholders in Agriculture

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Current Projects

Research

Dr. Leith Deacon – Director of Research

BeFarmWell App

www.befarmwell.ca
Currently available on IOS and Google Play stores

Agriculture Informed Therapy (TM)

AIT-USA
AIT-UK
Continue work to update the material – it is a living training
Publication of Manual

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Current Projects

Community of Practice

Therapists who are part of the community of practice receive referrals, ongoing training, discounts on swag, and training materials
Once you complete AIT – Angie will reach out to you and have a brief consultation, and ask for

Headshot & brief bio
Is there an area that you are passionate about that you would like to develop, that you can benefit from support
Are you passionate about training and presentations

Three Oaks Respite Cabin

Follow-up services
Ongoing modules for farmers and first responders

How can we develop these modules for every farmer?

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Angela Brenner, MSW, RSW

Registered Social Worker
Chicken Farmer
Community Advocate/Soup Kitchen

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Lauren Van Ewyk, M.Sc.MHC, RSW, PhD (candidate)

Registered Social Worker
PhD – U of Guelph; Rural Studies
Sheep Farmer/Bakery Owner
Foster mom

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Land Acknowledgement

We want to acknowledge that we live on and work from land that is a part of the traditional territory of the Ojibwe, Potawatomi and Odawa First Nations. We acknowledge the historical and continuing contributions of Indigenous Peoples, including First Nation, Métis and Inuit peoples, to this land, this province and this country.
I recognize and respect the diverse cultures, knowledge and reciprocal connection of these peoples to the land they have inhabited for thousands of years. It is my privilege to live, work and play here and I am thankful for the stewardship of Indigenous people from the beginning. I recognize our shared responsibility to respectful relationships and to the continued well-being of the land that nurtures all of us.

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We all have stuff....

�

10/9/26

We all have stuff

Triggering conversations
Deep breathing
Put it on the shelf for now

Confidentiality

Share with Caution

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Resilience

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Health Conceptualization

Health will be defined as a dynamic state of being that encompasses the interconnected physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of individuals, families, and communities.

It is supported through barrier-free and stigma-free care that is responsive to diverse identities, geographies, and ways of knowing and free from geographic narcissism or urban-centric bias.

Health is not defined by the absence of illness, hardship, or stress, but by the presence of meaningful supports, equitable access, and a deep sense of personal and collective well-being.

It is developed in relationship with self, others, land, and community, and is made possible when every person has the freedom to pursue wholeness in the ways that matter most to them.

Rurality is a determinant of health (Crosby et al., 2012; Lutfiyya et al., 2012)

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Two-Continua Model

Westerhof, G. J., & Keyes, C. L. M. (2010). Mental illness and mental health: The two continua model across the lifespan. Journal of Adult Development, 17(2), 110–119. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10804-009-9082-

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Resilience

Definition:

the capacity to withstand or to recover quickly from difficulties.

The ability to bounce back.

I don’t love this definition....is this what resilience really is....

Does it mean we are "unchanged“?
Does it mean that we learn and we pivot?
Does it mean that we continue to learn?

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Definition of Resilience

refers to the capacity of individuals and systems to navigate adversity through flexibility, skill development, and adaptation to change, while also recognizing hardship and fostering healing, connection, and growth.
Coerced Resilience:

reflects a high level of productivity or task completion, often achieved at the expense of concealing the emotional, psychological, or systemic struggles underlying that performance.
Constrained adaptation

Authentic Resilience:

actions and efforts of an individual to embrace vulnerability as a pathway to emotional healing and recovery from chronic stress or trauma.

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Coerced Resilience

When does resilience get in the way of vulnerability?

Reduction in vulnerability means less dependence on social capital
Rob Kaiser’s research on leadership versatility indicates, overused strengths become weaknesses
Even though initial perception of successful adaptation; overloaded stress response systems leads to covert psychological disturbance
Super autonomous Self-sufficiency

Self-enhancing
Unteachable

Mahdiani, H., Ungar, M. The Dark Side of Resilience. ADV RES SCI 2, 147–155 (2021). https://doi-org.subzero.lib.uoguelph.ca/10.1007/s42844-021-00031-z

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Barriers to Resilience

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Barriers to Resilience

Lack of rural proof policy

Rural specific programming
Reduced access to critical services
Financial Insecurity

Stigma

Super-autonomous Self-sufficiency

Unreliable Infrastructure

Broadband limitation
Inadequate emergency housing and services

Agriculture Informed Therapy ^TM providers

Rural Proof Policy, in rural townships/counties, much of the focus of funding centres around the largest population based in that geographic location. What if our policy development required developers to consider how we can bridge the divide between producer and consumers. When we think about social capital – it is a missing or declining aspect in rural communities. Creating opportunities for farmers/ranchers to connect and community members in their rural space addresses these barriers.

Example: local farm bakery wanting to expand, and but required to pay $2500 for site specific rezoning, even though Ontario Law says it is not required. They do not have the manpower to update the required sooner, so that barrier prevents economic development, restricted development of social capital and agriculture awareness growing and continues to place barriers between the producer and consumer.

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4 stages of Farmer Resilience Fatigue

Zealot

Farmer is committed to trying new ideas
Optimistic about future
Spend time with other farmers
Pushes themselves to work extra hours or do extra tasks

Irritability

Frustration about issues
Distance themselves from other farmers
Spend less time with family and friends
Increase in cynicism

Withdrawal

Aspects of farming becomes irritants
Husbandry and planning strategies decrease
What will be will be
Depression & hopelessness

Zombie

Rage/self-destructive (IPV)
Does not ask for help - no one else understands
Isolated
Unable to feel feeling of joy, and rest
autopilot/numb

*Adapted from: Compassion Fatigue; National Centre for School Safety, https://www.nc2s.org/resource/trauma-informed-resilience-oriented-schools-toolkit/

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Safety and Belonging

Epidemic of loneliness

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Social Prescribing

* Connects residents with local relationships, activities and supports
* Creates a sense of purpose and belonging
* Rural policy must address barriers such as transportation, cost, accessibility, and seasonal workloads.
* Creates shared experiences.

Example: our bakery: one of our bakers expressed that they get lonely during the winter months, and how much they looked forward to coming to bake for us (they are unpaid) due to the social interaction. Something as little as baking together helps people feel connected, it grows social capital and ensures our communities continue to thrive.

*Shared experiences: The Second World War illustrates how a shared crisis can mobilize into a collective purpose. We did not see this post WWII with the Dutch Population that experienced a great famine, and this has led to generational trauma in that population (also resilience – its not all bad!)

Similarly, in rural communities, responding together to challenges can strengthen resilience when people have meaningful opportunities to contribute and receive support.

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What is needed for Relationships

Who are you? Are you able to be your true self?

Authenticity

Are you able to ask and receive help?

Vulnerability

Predictability...is it safe to soar?

Trust

The Dark Side of resilience interferes with vulnerability, trust and authenticity

Is it safe to soar: working at the Sarnia Lambton Children’s Aid, I was a new employee and offered to volunteer at a training event. ( I am rather known for being an extrovert), and so gladly demonstrated the concept that was being taught. Later, I was pulled into my supervisors office and told I needed to “fly below the radar” – I was expected to back out of my commitment of helping at a foster parents banquet because that would draw attention to myself and since I was on probation it could cost me my job. It was not safe to soar – I could not grow in my leadership skills

Likewise our rural policy needs to accommodate rural members desire to soar – economically, educationally, and through innovation

These same needs are represented in our homeless populations as well. We know that substance misuse is closely linked to mental health distress, hence a comprehensive rural homelessness program must address the rural policy needs.

Reliable funding and local coordination are needed. Rural policy needs to ensure additional housing units are available on rural properties where multigenerational families seeks to work collectively in agriculture.

The land owners provision

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Barriers to Thriving

Unhelpful Guilt

We do something against our unrealistically high expectations
Often the irrational standards are developed early in life to please an adult
Lead us to self-punishment rather than behavioural change
Contributes to anxiety and irrational beliefs.
Common among helpers, particularly those who seem to be more competitive
Typical between 3 – 6 years of age

Shame

Feelings of shame can come from real or perceived deficiencies, mistakes or failures.
Internalizing and blaming self for problems others experience
Failures or problems not only bring shame to the person, but often to the family, or industry
As early as 15 months

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Rural Landlords & Unpaid Rent

Rural landlords may struggle to collect unpaid rent, creating financial pressure that can make it difficult to maintain rental housing.
Addressing rural homelessness therefore requires both support to help tenants pay rent and timely, fair processes to resolve unpaid rent.
Housing stability depends on tenants being able to afford their homes and landlords being able to sustain them.

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Three Oaks Cabin�https://www.threeoakscabin.com

Cabin for farmers to access when in need of rest, rejuvenation and basic wellness skill development
Location for community group wellness activities/workshops
Mental health programming is provided by the National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

10 – self-directed modules with accompanying manual
A follow-up session is provided to help the client(s) access resources and ensure supports are in place to help them thrive.
www.nfmha.ca

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Check out our new Podcast!

�

10/9/26

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Find Us… Like Us… Follow Us...

National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

@National Farmer Mental Health Alliance

@nfmhalliance

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�

― Katie Reed, The Boarderline Blog

Self-care is giving the world the best of you instead of what is left of you.�

Call at : 1-877-639-8828

www.nfmha.ca

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