What is ‘In The Know’?

‘In The Know’ is a mental health literacy training program developed specifically for Canada’s agricultural community. It was developed by Dr. Andria Jones and Dr. Briana Hagen at the University of Guelph, along with a team of stakeholders from agriculture and the mental health profession.

The purpose of ‘In the Know’ is to:

1)    Educate farmers and people who work with farmers (e.g. veterinarians, agricultural industry representatives) about common mental health conditions and signs of mental distress;

2)    Raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health among the agricultural community;

3)    Increase participants’ confidence in opening a conversation about mental health; and

4)    Connect people who may be struggling with appropriate mental health supports.

The ‘In the Know’ program is meant for personal educational purposes only. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and it is not a medical or counseling training program.

What is the Purpose of ‘In The Know’?

What is Covered?

At the end of the training program, participants will be able to:

•    Describe stress, anxiety, depression, acute trauma, suicide, and substance abuse;

•     Recognize signs and symptoms of mental distress;

•     Describe approaches for engaging in safe conversations about mental health with someone who may be struggling;

•     Identify appropriate people and/or organizations that can provide help / support / resources for someone who may be struggling.

Content: Statistics on Canadian farmer mental health; Mental wellness vs. Mental illness; Stress; Anxiety; Depression; Trauma; Substance misuse / addiction; Assessing risk for suicide; Importance of listening and empathy