Lambton County sheep farmer and mental health therapist Lauren Van Ewyk (left) along with North Dakota ag radio host Bridgette Readel have launched a podcast promoting mental wellness for rural residents.
Mental health podcast offers well-being tips to Ontario farmers
Farmers Forum staff
LAMBTON COUNTY — Anxiety, depression and suicide are well-reported significant issues for the farmers and other residents of rural Ontario. People may not know where to turn, but a new online audio podcast — The Rural Well — offers a friendly avenue and source of information for those seeking assistance and comfort.
Lambton County sheep farmer and mental health therapist Lauren Van Ewyk co-hosts the podcast with North Dakota ag radio host Bridgette Readel. Since the launch of The Rural Well, they’ve kept up an impressive pace of releasing one 30-minute segment every two weeks. Their seventh episode dropped just before Christmas.
Van Ewyk is co-founder of the National Farmers Mental Health Alliance, which connects farmers with counsellors and psychotherapists who are familiar with agricultural life.
“I’m finding … that so many farmers have had to be resilient for such a long period of time, that it’s become a muscle that’s been overused,” she observed during the inaugural podcast. “And I think the idea with this podcast is to allow farmers to embrace vulnerability.
It’s actually OK that we’re not OK all of the time.”
The hosts explore the realities of rural life, presented with warm enthusiasm and country charm. Recent segments include ‘Stress on the Back 40,’ ‘Farm Safety,’ and ‘Grief on the Back 40.’ In their most recent podcast — ‘Traditions on the Farm’ — they take a look at giving practical Christmas gifts based on what the recipient actually needs and the “little things” one can do to cut the stress for family members gathered at the farm for the holidays.
Search for ‘The Rural Well’ on your favourite podcast platform to listen to new and past episodes. Or check out the links on the web at linktr.ee/theruralwell
