Need to Know Survey for Farmers Mental Health

Purpose: This survey is part of a larger study that seeks to develop a better understanding of rural men’s diverse mental health experiences and what they need to live healthier lives. In this phase of the research, we are collecting information from Manitoba farmers because they face distinct stresses in their work.

Participation: If you wish to participate, you can complete a confidential online survey. This survey will take approximately 5-10 minutes.

Confidentiality: The survey data will be completely anonymous. Any combination of information that could be used to identify you, will not be presented together in reports or presentations to protect your confidentiality.

Communication of Results: Results from this research will be shared in presentations, research journals, and through possible future press releases and media interviews with the researchers.

Potential Risks and Benefits: Participation in the study will pose no greater risk than an everyday conversation. In the long-term, we hope that the information learned from this study will inform policies and programs that better support rural men experiencing stress and mental health issues.

Withdrawal from the Study: Once you have submitted your anonymous survey, you will not be able to withdraw from the study, as your responses will not be linked to your name.

If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Rachel Herron, Brandon University, (herronr@brandonu.ca or 204 727-9771). This study has been reviewed and approved by the Research Ethics Board at Brandon University. For questions regarding participants’ rights and ethical conduct of research, contact the Brandon University Research Office, (204 727-9712).

Thank you for agreeing to participate in the Need to Know Survey for Farmers Mental Health.

Please answer all the questions to the best of your ability.

Question Title

* 1. What type of farm do you operate? (select all that apply)

Oilseed and grain

Beef

Hog

Dairy

Poultry and egg

Sheep and goat

Vegetable

Mixed farm

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 2. What is the size of your operation? (select one)

Small (Gross farm receipts of $50,000 or less)

Medium (Gross farm receipts of 50,001 - $250,000)

Large (Gross farm receipts of $250,001 and up)

Question Title

* 3. Over the last 12 months, what was your average time contribution to this agricultural operation? (select one)

more than 40 hours per week

30 to 40 hours per week

20 to 29 hours per week

fewer than 20 hours per week

Question Title

* 4. Do you work off farm? (select one)

Yes

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* 5. In general, would you say your physical health is…? (select one)

Excellent

Very good

Good

Fair

Poor

Question Title

* 6. In general, would you say your mental health is…? (select one)

Excellent

Very good

Good

Fair

Poor

Question Title

* 7. What do you do when you are feeling down? (type your answer below)

Question Title

* 8. Have you seen or spoken with any of the following people about your mental health? (select all that apply)

Family doctor

Psychiatrist

Psychologist

Nurse/ Nurse practitioner

Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services counsellor

Other counsellor or therapist

Family member

Friend

Spiritual leader

I have not seen or spoken with anyone about my mental health

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 9. If you circled any of the above services, how helpful did you find this support? (select one)

Very helpful

Fairly helpful

Not very helpful

Not helpful

Question Title

* 10. What if any barriers do you face accessing mental support? (select all that apply)

Don’t have time

Don’t know where to go

Cost

Lack of confidentiality

Inconvenient location

Fear of judgement

Waiting list is too long

Formal services are not important to me

Other (please specify)

Question Title

* 11. What time of day would you be most likely to access remote mental health services? (select all that apply)

Morning (6 am – 10 am)

Mid-morning (10:01 am -1 pm)

Afternoon (1:01 pm- 4 pm)

Evening (4:01 pm-10 pm)

Overnight (10 pm- 5:59 am)

Question Title

* 12. How important is it to you that the person you speak with about mental health issues has knowledge of farming? (select one)

Very important

Fairly important

Not very important

Not important

Question Title

* 13. How important is it to you to talk to another man about your mental health? (select one)

Very important

Fairly important

Not very important

Not important

Question Title

* 14. In your opinion, how adequate are the information/resources available to Manitoba farmers about mental health? (select one)

Very adequate

Fairly adequate

Not very adequate

Not adequate

Question Title

* 15. Please rank the following mental health supports from 1 (most important) to 7 (least important)?

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* 16. What, if any, additional mental health supports do Manitoba farmers need? (type your answer below)

Question Title

* 17. What year were you born? (type your answer below)

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* 18. With what gender do you identify? (type your answer below)

Question Title

* 19. If you are you interested in participating in an interview or focus group about rural men’s mental health, please provide your name and an email or phone number below (note: your name and contact information will not be connected to your survey responses).