Research Projects

Our Current Projects

We work with farmers, industry experts, healthcare professionals and researchers to support the mental well-being of those working in the agricultural industry and rural communities.

Here are some of our current and most recent projects.

Animal & Farmer Well-Being

Project aims to create assessment tools, provide resources, and deliver training to Alberta SPCA Peace Officers.

Farm Culture in Canada & Mental Health

Project aims to understand the range of farm cultures that exist across Canada, their stressors and coping strategies.

Farm Transitions and Succession Planning

Are you an Active Planner or a Back Burner? This project explores why some farmers develop succession plans while others delay.

The New Farmers Project

Project examines how new farmers -- with or without a farming background -- are navigating the agricultural industry in Alberta.

Building Therapeutic Alliance with Farmer Clients

This is Part 2 to our 'Delivering Mental Health to Farmers' project. In this project, we examine the strategies therapists use to successfully build trust with their farmers during therapy.

Our Recent Projects

These are the projects recently completed:

Mental Health Status of AB Farmers

This province-wide survey of farmers assessed the levels of depression, anxiety, burnout and resilience and compared to national averages.

Mental Health Impact of Livestock Disease and Depopulation on Farmers

From bees to poultry to cattle, this project examined how diseases impact a farmer's mental health.

Mental Health Impact of Depopulation on Veterinarians

Project examines how depopulation can take a toll on veterinarians who support their farmer client and those directly involved in a depopulation.

Delivering Mental Health Services to Rural Farming Communities

Project examines the strategies rural mental health professionals use to increase the chances a farmer will reach out to them for help.

Risk Factors Associated with Farmer Suicide

Project examined research on farmer suicide to identify the most common risk factors, as well the protective factors that could save a life.