Alberta (Rural Roots Canada) – Farming isn’t just a job; it’s a way of life that comes with its fair share of challenges, from financial stress to social isolation. That can take a toll on your mental health.
At the recent Alberta Seed Processors annual general meeting, Tyler Smith, survivor of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash and founder of mental health awareness company Not Alone, shared his story about how he discovered the importance of taking those first steps towards putting your mental health first.
“Originally, I thought it was selfish,” Smith tells Rural Roots Canada. “I thought, why would I take care of myself or do things that were centered around myself?”
In April 2018, 16 people were killed and another 13 injured when the Broncos coach bus struck a semi-trailer near Armley, Saskatchewan, after the truck driver blew through a stop sign. In the weeks and months that followed, Smith chose to suffer in silence, lacking the awareness to recognize the importance of vulnerability. It took time to realize that he was never alone in his struggles.
“It’s as simple as finding your peace, and finding your way to take those steps. Now, I value the relationships I have with people in my life because they can bring me that peace.”
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Smith says putting yourself first looks different for everyone, but encourages people to be courageous enough to take those first steps. “Being present and taking those steps, it’s crazy what it can do for you, but it’s also crazy how hard it is to get to that place.”
Smith also strongly suggests reaching out to friends, family, and loved ones to share your story and learn from each other. “I’ve learned a lot from the people in my life, and you can learn a lot from the people in your life even if you all haven’t gone through exactly the same thing.”
There are several mental health resources available for the ag community in Alberta, including AgKnow – Alberta Farm Mental Health Network and the National Farmer Wellness Network (NFWN) Crisis Line, operated by the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing (CCAW), which offers free, confidential, and farm-specific mental health support through 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701).
