access to populational mental health knowledge living in good mental health Volume 6, Number 3, March 2014 The mental health of farmers, a complex situation Nancy Beauregard, Assistant Professor, École de relations industrielles, Université de Montréal Andrée Demers, Full Professor, Department of Sociology, Université de Montréal Alain Marchand, Associate Professor, École de relations industrielles, Université de Montréal Relevance According to Statistics Canada, the 2011 Census of Agriculture shows that almost 44,000 farmers proudly ensure this industry’s future in Quebec. It is important to note that this profession can be hazardous to one’s health. In fact, the risk of accidental injuries or death is well known in this line of work, including those associated with farming equipment. Various public health interventions, like awareness campaigns, are commonly used to improve farmers’ physical health as well as the physical health of their family members (e.g., children, elderly parents). Recent statistics also indicate that mental health problems are not only present, but equally significant. A recent study of the Canadian labour force points out that farming is among professions with the greatest risk of suicidal death, with an age-standardized mortality rate in men of 31.4 suicides per 100,000 people per year (Mustard et al., 2010). In Quebec, a study carried out in partnership with the Coop fédérée reveals that other pre-pathological adverse effects to mental health (psychological distress, fatigue, and perceived stress) have a considerable impact on these workers (Lafleur et Allard, 2006). Therefore, it is important to pay special attention to farmers’ mental health, and that we properly identify its particular explanatory dynamics. How do we explain a farmer’s mental health? In general, health problems in the labour force involve explanatory dynamics, such as the worker’s characteristics (age, gender, lifestyle, and personality traits), his or her close social environment (work and family), and the more distal environment (community and society) (Marchand, Durand, and Demers, 2006). Recognizing the contribution of these multiple influence levels, from which the risk and protective factors for mental health can result, will help draw a more complete portrait of the farmer’s reality. 1 Society and community On a societal level, globalization has had a profound impact on the nature of farm work. Whether it’s market fluctuations for farm produce, application of economic policies, or the use of surveillance measures related to biosecurity, the resulting administrative constraints take a severe toll on farm owners. Furthermore, in terms of community, the notion of rural solidarity barely compensates for the lack of social recognition and the dwindling support networks that these workers face (Kallioniemi, Simola, Kinnunen and Kymäläinen, 2011). Farming is among professions with the greatest risk of suicidal death.