In the latest episode of Farm Safety Roundup, host Shaun Haney is joined by Nicole Sherman, health and safety consultant with Workplace Safety and Prevention Services (WSPS), for a timely discussion on staying grounded in an increasingly unpredictable farming environment. With tariffs, volatile markets, and planting season looming, stress levels are high — and that stress can have real safety consequences on the farm.
“There’s just so many compounding and triggering stressors that we have,” says Sherman. “…when something draws your attention away from the task that you’re doing, especially when we’re working around major hazards like heavy equipment and large animals and toxic chemicals, this absolutely is a safety concern.”
Farming is physically demanding work, but Sherman emphasizes that mental health deserves equal attention. “Our well-being hinges on being physically well, but also mentally well and socially well, ” she says. Citing staggering statistics, she notes that over half of Canadian farmers report experiencing anxiety, with rates of suicidal thoughts significantly higher than the general population.
Progress is being made in reducing stigma, Sherman acknowledges, but there’s still work to do: “It’s okay to say that ‘I’m not okay today’… farmers are some of the most resilient people I know, but they’re still human… They’re not robots running on autopilot.”
Sherman encourages farmers to take simple but meaningful steps, such as setting boundaries, staying socially connected, and accessing support resources. Programs such as the Farmer Wellness Initiative, Guardian Network, and WSPS’s own online resources offer help tailored specifically to the agricultural sector.
For free, accessible tools and information, visit wsps.ca/farmsafety. Prioritizing mental well-being isn’t just good for farmers—it’s essential for farm safety and long-term sustainability.
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