The North Grenville Times
The Voice of North Grenville
Farmers encouraged to reach out for mental health supports
by Sara Wood, Director, OFA Summer is a busy time on the farm. Whether we’re cutting hay or silage to feed our livestock next winter, getting fresh fruits and vegetables to market or harvesting grain crops, there is no shortage of work to keep everyone busy. Weather is also top of mind at this time of year. Not enough rain keeps crops from growing properly, but too much keeps us from harvesting them – and we’re also always keeping an eye on the latest weather warn-
ings in hopes that we can be spared damage from severe summer storms. And like many other Ontarians, farmers also worry about inflation, rising interest rates, and the high cost of living and running a business. These aren’t new challenges. In fact, the tough financial times of the early 1980s caused many farmers at the time to discourage their children from a career in agriculture and it’s important that we don’t lose another generation of farmers. For too long, stress and mental health in the ag community have been accompanied by the stigma of perceived weakness. In recent years, research coming out of the University of Guelph has drawn a lot of
attention to the high levels of stress farmers face and the impact it is having on them and their families. It’s traditionally been something that was kept quiet, even in my own family as I grew up on my parents’ dairy and crop farm. Now, however, the industry is finally talking about it and working together to take action. Last year, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, with the support of the governments of Canada and Ontario, through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Ontario Division to develop and launch the Farmer Wellness Initiative. It is the first step of a multi-year, province-wide
The Weather with Connor
featuring Connor Mockett Hello, everyone! Welcome back to another week of The Weather with Connor. In my last column, I said at the bottom that I’d resume talking about the final 9 days of my Chasecation to Alberta. That will have to wait, as I’d like to talk about the events of last Thursday, July 13th, instead. July 13th was the day when a couple of tornadoes happened in Barrhaven in Ottawa, and then a tornadowarned storm made its way across the region from Vernon and across the border into Quebec, where it put down another tornado north of Montreal. I want to talk about the day leading up to that day, and my chase day. So let’s start with July 12th, a Wednesday, the day before things hit the fan. I started to look at models in the afternoon that day and started to see things that I haven’t really seen here much at all, if ever. The model runs were hinting at an environment rarely seen in this area, due to a low pressure system crossing through the region. This system was also responsible for tornadoes in the Chicago area, so going into Thursday, the system already had tornadoes in its DNA. July 27, 2023
Throughout the evening, model runs kept coming in, all giving the signal that July 13th would be a day to remember. I kept reading the models and thinking to myself “is this for Eastern Ontario or Oklahoma?” Obviously, it was for Eastern Ontario and we were getting set for a very dangerous day. The next morning, I once again pulled my phone out to look things over before making my morning Facebook post. That is when I began to get a little bit of worried that something bad was going to happen that day. I knew that two major cities, Ottawa and Montreal, as well as everywhere in between, were under the gun in a significant way. So I sounded the proverbial alarm and told everyone to treat the day with respect and to pay attention to warnings and alerts. Storms actually started very early; it was only around 9:00am when storms started to form into a line over to the west near Peterborough. Those storms would move to the east, into an environment very primed for potent severe weather. Storms then entered the Ottawa area around 11:30am, and by about 12:30-ish, a couple of tornadoes were reported in Barrhaven. I started my chase day around that 11:30 time, but was unable to catch those tornadoes, as Ottawa was not my target area for the day. I went further east for my target, which was St. Isidore, and sat in the Esso parking lot with another chasing buddy of mine. We waited there for about 30
program that provides free counselling services virtually, in-person or on the phone by professional counsellors with agricultural backgrounds and training. The confidential helpline is accessible 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in English and French, as well as up to 30 other languages, and the FWI website explains how to use the free service. Counselling is available for any issue, not just farm-related matters, including financial pressures, health concerns, depression, troubles with family, friends, partners or spouses, feelings of stress or burn-out, bullying, trauma, abuse and other issues requiring support. At OFA, we’ve been working hard to let farmers know that the service exists.
minutes until it was finally because rotation was one of time to get out of the parking the strongest I’ve seen here lot and head towards another too. There could have been section of the storm that had a tornado buried in the rain a tornado warning on it. of the storm, but it is still We traveled back west unconfirmed at the time I’m slightly before intercepting writing this. the storm in St. Albert, where Strong rotation and a it was incredibly beautiful. very windy storm then enDon’t get me wrong, the tered the Town of Vankleek storm was incredibly beau- Hill, still thankfully not a tiful for its entire life cycle. tornado though considering After getting eyes on that it would have gone right storm, I turned back around through the Town. I had to to go back east again as it stop chasing the storm just entered Casselman. Luck- after Vankleek Hill, mostly ily for Casselman, the very because I went down a dirt strong rotation on the storm road and then realized that did not put down a tornado, I didn’t have another east because that rotation went road option, and that it was right over top of town. either go back to where I I then hopped on the 417 came from, or sit where I in Casselman for a short and was. Both options involved quick trip down the highway me getting hit by the storm, towards the HWY 138 exit, carefully not in the path of where I got off and turned the rotation. I chose to just to the north for a 30 second sit on that dirt road and let drive until my next east- the storm hit me and pass. ward turn. I turned east on After the storm passed, those really nice back roads I went to the Timmies in between Casselman and St. Vankleek Hill (because why Isidore, which is probably wouldn’t you get Timmies my favourite area to chase after a chase?) and met up in the entire region, and with another chasing buddy. stopped to watch the storm We then both hopped back for a couple of minutes. on the 417 south of Vankleek This is where rotation on the Hill, and headed back west storm became even stronger towards Ottawa for round and was very very visible to 2, which ended up dying off the naked eye. before we got back to those I kept going east after a storms. short stop, and then stopped Full disclosure, my between St. Isidore and storm chase on July 13th Fournier. This is where rota- was probably my best chase tion was at its peak, and the ever in my 9 years of chasstructure of the storm was ing. Many of my all time at its peak too. I’ve never favourite photos were taken seen a storm that beauti- that day. Although an unforful in this region before, tunate event in Ottawa with it was unbelievable. I was two damaging tornadoes, pretty surprised I didn’t which thankfully no one see a tornado near Fournier died from, this was a day that when I stopped on a gravel I will never forget. road to look at the storm, 10
I farm in Perth County and our local federation of agriculture, for example, has met with municipal councillors to let them know about the program, and they’ve been happy to make the information available to their rural constituents. As awareness increases, so does use of the Farmer Wellness Initiative, and it’s making a difference. I attended various agricultural events and trade shows last fall and winter where I heard from people about how relieved they were that a program like this is available for farmers, especially in rural areas where healthcare and mental health supports and resources can be very limited. This shows that we’re meeting a need and that the farm community is starting
to embrace the help that is available. Long-standing stigmas and perceptions can be hard to break, but we all need help at some point and recognizing that isn’t a weakness. In fact, I believe it instead shows a person’s strength – and that’s something that should be recognized and supported. For many of us, it’s not easy to ask for help, as I’ve learned firsthand recently in going through cancer treatments, but that shouldn’t keep us from reaching out. To access counselling through the Farmer Wellness Initiative, call 1-866-2676255 or visit farmerwellnessinitiative.ca.
Infection control notification issued this week by local Health Unit submitted by LGLD Health Unit Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit identified an Infection Prevention and Control (IPAC) lapse during an inspection on June 8th of Piercings by Melissa in Brockville, who operated in relationship with LUX Tattoo and Piercing, when informed of changes to services performed at the premises that were not disclosed to the Health Unit upon starting. Initial investigation conducted on site identified concerns regarding reusable tools relating to reprocessing technique, operation of equipment, and documentation. The operator has been required by the Health Unit to use only sterile single-use tools, and not use any jewellery sterilized on site. There have been no infections linked to the premises at this time. The Health Unit recognizes that this situation can be stressful. Clients who may have been at risk of exposure have been contacted directly by the Health Unit by letter, and we recommend that all clients who received this letter follow recommendations described in the letter, including speaking to a health care provider. The Ontario Ministry of Health requires that public health units investigate and publicly disclose information about IPAC lapses. The Health Unit works with all operators to ensure safety to the public both to prevent lapses and to ensure provision of services in accordance to public health guidance and provincial requirements. Please visit www.healthunit.org and click on the infection control information tab for more information on the IPAC Lapse, and/or contact our toll free line at 1-800-6605853 ext 2222. Information about the Health Unit’s role in inspection of personal service settings can be found on our website under: Beauty & Body Art.
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