Mental health challenges can affect anyone, anywhere – but for Canadians living in rural areas, these challenges are often more pronounced. While conversations about mental health have grown louder in recent years, rural communities remain underserved and under-supported, creating a silent crisis that needs our urgent attention. In this post, we’ll explore the causes behind this crisis and how we can work together to address it.
Barriers to Mental Healthcare in Rural Areas
In Canada, rural residents and farmers face unique barriers when it comes to mental health. Anxiety, depression, and psychological distress are reported at higher rates in rural populations compared to their urban counterparts. Yet, access to mental health resources in these areas is often shockingly limited, adding to this urgent crisis. The ratio of psychologists to urban residents is one to 3,484, but for rural Canadians, that number skyrockets to one to 28,500. When mental health professionals are available, they are often located farther away, making it difficult for most rural residents to access care.
Stigma in Rural and Agricultural Communities
In addition to limited access to mental health services, rural communities often 
face a great deal of stigma around mental illness, discouraging people from seeking help. Rural men are particularly more reluctant to reach out for professional support, due to the fear it may be perceived as a sign of weakness. Research shows that many rural men feel societal pressure to “tough it out” or “get over it,” furthering harmful cycles of self-stigma and isolation.
A 2019 study revealed that over 60% of farmers reported experiencing psychological distress. Farming is a high-stress lifestyle; factors such as burnout, social isolation, and financial pressures all take a toll on mental well-being. Without adequate support systems in place, these stressors can eventually contribute to mental illness, including anxiety and depression.
Fighting Mental Health Stigma: The Rural Minds Matter Awareness Campaign
At the Stigma-Free Mental Health Society (SFMHS), we are taking action to address the growing mental health crisis among rural Canadians, and we want you to join us in making a difference. That’s why we’ve launched the Rural Minds Matter Awareness Campaign, an initiative aimed at addressing stigma and mental health disparities faced by rural and remote communities across Northern British Columbia. The campaign has two key pillars:
- The Awareness Messaging Campaign
We are normalizing conversations about mental health to reduce self-stigma. By sharing evidence-based resources and authentic lived experiences, we are empowering people to speak openly about mental health without fear of judgment. We are also bringing accessible mental health education to rural communities with our no-cost resources, including our Student Mental Health Toolkit and Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit. - Peer Support Groups
We are building resilience in rural communities by training locals in Northern B.C. to lead peer support groups in their area. These groups offer a safe, judgment-free space for neighbors to connect through shared experiences and support one another. Our Rural Peer Support Fundamentals Training provides rural residents with the skills they need to offer effective peer support, and we offer ongoing support to facilitators to ensure the groups are sustainable and create lasting change.
How You Can Get Involved
Are you passionate about mental health and want to make a positive impact in your rural community? Become a Rural Resilience Champion! These dedicated volunteers are a driving force behind the Rural Minds Matter Campaign, helping to spread awareness and connect their communities with valuable resources. As a champion, you will:
- Share campaign messages with neighbours, businesses, and local leaders.
- Help facilitate peer groups or encourage others to participate in our Rural Peer Support Fundamentals Training.
- Promote mental health resources and events through social media and community activities.
Join us in our mission to eliminate stigma and build stronger, healthier rural communities. Volunteer as a Rural Resilience Champion today!
The Rural Mental Wellness Program: Access No-Cost Mental Health Resources
Beyond the Rural Minds Matter Campaign, SFMHS offers resources and training through the Rural Mental Wellness Program. This program is designed to provide rural residents with tools to support mental well-being, covering topics like work-life balance and family wellness, and sharing Inspiring Stories about rural mental health. Our Student Mental Health Toolkit contains resources for educators in both urban and rural communities, including mental health lesson plans specifically tailored to B.C. and Manitoba curriculums. We’re making it easier than ever for rural Canadians to access the support and education they need, no matter where they live.
Everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full, empowered life free from stigma. The mental health crisis in Canada’s rural areas is urgent, and together, we can be part of the solution. Join the Rural Minds Matter Awareness Campaign and help us build a future where no one is left behind!
References
Hagen, B. N. M., Sawatzky, A., Harper, S. L., O’Sullivan, T. L., & Jones-Bitton, A. (2021). “Farmers Aren’t into the Emotions and Things, Right?”: A Qualitative Exploration of Motivations and Barriers for Mental Health Help-Seeking among Canadian Farmers. Journal of Agromedicine, 27(2), 113–123.
Jones-Bitton, A., Best, C., MacTavish, J., Fleming, S., & Hoy, S. (2019). Stress, anxiety, depression, and resilience in Canadian farmers. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology, 55(2), 229–236.
The Library of Parliament. (2022, July 13). The mental health of Canadian farmers. HillNotes.
Author: Monique Zizzo
