Talk, Ask, Listen Workshop.

Our flagship mental health literacy workshop, Talk Ask Listen, was developed by The Do More Ag Foundation. It is an interactive 3 hour session designed to foster and support people across agricultural communities, from producers right through industry and community, to increase mental health knowledge, become comfortable with mental health conversations, and learn how to take action. Talk Ask Listen helps participants to build skillsets and knowledge; it is not therapy. Our workshops help communities, business, industry and farms cultivate a culture of well-being. Talk Ask Listen has been delivered to over 2,500 participants since the program's inception. Our facilitators include mental health professionals and those with lived mental health and agricultural experience.

Workshop Outline.

1. TALK: mental health statistics and factors unique to the agriculture industry; the impact of tradition, stigma, and shame; how community is key to mental health journeys; and how to open the conversation by talking about mental health.
2. ASK: How to prepare and have conversations about mental health; how to activate your curiosity, be courageous, overcome bias, and be present.
3. LISTEN: How to actively listen to yourself and others; how peers and communities can encourage mental health conversations and cultivate a culture of well-being.
4. Workbook: our workshops include a workbook for reflection and action.

What Is AgCulture?

AgCulture is a mental health in agriculture literacy program developed to:

1. Build awareness of the agriculture industry and the unique stressors facing Canadian producers.
2. Further educate mental health professionals who may not have extensive or direct experience on the farm.
3. Improve relatability between a farmer and mental health professional so that an effective therapeutic relationship can be built and maintained.
4. Learn to apply culturally competent practical skills to aid in building the therapeutic relationship with rural clients, plus more.

Workshop Outline.

1. Introduction to the agriculture industry
2. Building the therapeutic relationship
3. Strategies for practical application
4. Navigating Farmer Self Care

Participants Experience.

"As a Social Worker and a resident in a rural community, the AgCulture course was invaluable. I received a broader understanding of the impact of mental health on farm families, a renewed sense of the unique stressors involved in living where you work and vice versa, and insight into the unique engagement strategies that aid in forming a therapeutic relationship."

"Both the pre-reading and presentation was full of valuable information, and I’m sure I’ll reference it often in my clinical work. I also appreciated the opportunity for discussion and application to a case study."

Please note: This course is only offered to participants through the Community Fund.

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA), is a 2-day, 12 hour course, developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada and facilitated by a Certified Instructor, is the help provided to a person developing a mental health problem or experiencing a mental health crisis. Just as physical first aid is administered to an injured person before medical treatment can be obtained, MHFA is given until appropriate treatment is found or until the crisis is resolved. 

The MHFA Canada program aims to improve mental health literacy and provide the skills and knowledge to help people better manage potential or developing mental health problems in themselves, a family member, a friend or a colleague.

The program teaches participants how to:

• Recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health problems. 
• Provide initial help. 
• Guide a person towards appropriate professional help.
  

MHFA aims to:  

• Preserve life where a person may be a danger to themselves or others. 
• Provide help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state. 
• Promote the recovery of good mental health. 
• Provide comfort to a person experiencing a mental health problem. 
  

MHFA trained individuals are able to:

• Recognize and understand the symptoms of mental health problems, including those related to substance abuse.
 
• Provide help to prevent the mental health problem from developing into a more serious state. 
• Promote the recovery of good mental health by understanding how to assist someone in distress or recovering from a crisis.