IF 64: Front Line Workers In Ag & Mental Health Concerns w/Gerry Friesen

Mental Health Month

In last week’s episode, we covered “Tough Times in Farming & Mental Health Concerns.” This episode is created with the farmer in mind.

In this week’s follow up episode with Gerry Friesen titled “Front Line Workers In Ag & Mental Health Concerns” we are speaking to and supporting the front line workers in agriculture. Who are front line workers, you may ask? They are anyone and everyone that works directly with farmers, including; sales representatives, nutritionists, agrologists, veterinarians, mechanics/technicians, consultants, accounts payable, bankers, etc. They are the professionals that work at agriculture companies and connect directly with farmers on the telephone and through on-farm visits.

Often since family and employees are directly involved in the farm and “so close to home,” these professionals are the trusted outside individual that farmers are comfortable opening up to. This can be both a point of honor and a source of strain for front line workers. Take, for example, the salesperson that needs to visit the farm and chat about next year’s inputs, while in a year like 2019, this year’s crops may have just come off with much frustration or may even still be sitting in the field. As a professional, they are just doing their job, and because they are a trusted individual, they either become the confidant for the farmer’s troubles or the dumping ground for their frustration. It is often these same professionals that become privy to or spot mental health concerns in their clients. What should they do?

In today’s episode, we chat about just that. Do you work on the front lines with farmers? If so, this episode in for you.

Tune In Here...

This episode is also available on podcast iTunes / Spotify / Stitcher / Soundcloud / IHeartRadio

 * Disclaimer - As always, this information is not intended to provide business or medical advice. To ensure that your own circumstances have been properly considered and that action is taken based on the latest information available, you should obtain professional advice from qualified business or medical professionals before acting on any of the information in this post.

Gerry Friesen

Stress & Conflict Management Specialist 

Gerry comes from a diverse background of experience, learning, and discovery. It would appear that he has never found his niche in life and loves talking about it. Never short on humor, because after all humor can be a cover-up for much deeper issues, Gerry is bound to share the stories, the experiences, the ups and downs of his life through stories, stories all of you will relate too. As a listener, the one thing you can be assured of is that you will find an applicable life lesson through what you hear. Lessons that will help you in bringing back a semblance of sanity to the crazy world we live in.

Connect with Gerry Friesen - Twitter / LinkedIn / www.gerryfriesen.ca

About The Impact Farming Show

Welcome to Impact Farming, Farm Marketer's video and audio show dedicated to helping Canadian farmers excel in the business of farming. Our goal with this show is to introduce our audience to the people and ideas that are going to make an IMPACT on their farming operation. 

Show Host - Tracy Brunet
CEO of Farm Marketer 

Tracy and her husband are cattle ranchers in South East, Manitoba. As host of the show, primary producer and agvocate, Tracy is passionate about helping farmers succeed in the business of farming. 

In each episode, Tracy chats with today's most successful farm advisors and industry leaders to bring our audience the best and most important ideas. 

Connect with Tracy Brunet - Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Linked in