Psychological well being has been a subject on the forefront for a lot of Albertans, particularly with the added stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Rural Psychological Well being Community is making ready its second occasion on Thursday, February 11 which is able to give attention to psychological well being within the agriculture trade.
Occasion speaker Lesley Kelly has been a psychological well being advocate for the previous few years and is the creator behind the weblog Excessive Heels & Canola Fields.
“We didn’t know what sort of response we’d get from sharing our story,” Kelly advised the Mail.
Kelly says she was drawn to advocating for psychological well being after dealing with her personal struggles with postpartum despair following the start of her second son, and watching these near her wrestle with their very own psychological well being challenges of tension and post-traumatic stress dysfunction (PTSD).
In January 2018, Kelly co-founded Do Extra Agriculture Basis (Do Extra Ag), a non-profit group which focuses on breaking the stigma of psychological well being within the agriculture trade. Whereas stigma round psychological well being is easing, Kelly notes these within the agriculture trade might really feel remoted of their struggles.
“All of us undergo laborious instances,” she says. “Sharing empathy and kindness goes a good distance.”
Kelly says the Rural Psychological Well being Community reached out to her and requested her to share her story at their upcoming occasion. Whereas she is unable to be current in individual, Kelly says the digital occasion will assist improve alternative and entry.
The occasion will probably be held over Zoom and is free to attend, although registration is required.
