Archives des Mental Health

22 June 2024in News

For the Well-Being of People in the Fishing Industry

Patrick Jacques is empathetic, motivated, and a good listener. He’s probably the very first “dock worker” in Quebec. At a time when the fishing industry is undergoing serious upheaval, he is reaching out to people in the Côte-de-Gaspé MRC to offer them a helping hand. What does his work involve? How does he support fishers, the fishing industry, and those around them? And what’s his advice for reducing anxiety and helping us take care of ourselves? We caught up with him to find out.

Patrick, who trained as a specialized instructor, has been a psychosocial outreach worker in the fishing industry for the Convergence organization since March 2024. His role? “It’s to be a pivotal person who acts as a link between people, resources, who facilitates access to services for people in the fishing industry, but also for anyone else in the community who needs help from 16 to 99 years old, men and women. I make referrals and provide support,” he explained.

Why Focus on the Fishing Industry?

Patrick’s position was recently created under a tripartite agreement between Convergence, the MRC de La Côte-de-Gaspé (as part of the Démarche intégrée en développement social de La Côte-de-Gaspé), and Santé publique du CISSS de la Gaspésie. The goal? To offer specific assistance to people affected by the difficulties experienced in the fishing industry. Because it meets a real need.

This is what Patrick has observed in his discussions with local people. “Honestly, fishers are under a lot of stress. Yes, there are the quotas: they can’t fish as much as in other years. But there’s also the lack of resources. They go fishing and there are fewer shrimps, fewer fish. It’s a reality that causes a lot of stress, because it’s their livelihood. Some feel responsible for their team, and who are there for their families too. It puts a lot on these people’s shoulders. There are also a number of fishers who are selling their licenses and boats and starting from scratch. It’s stressful for them too,” he explained.

How does he help people experiencing this anxiety? “By listening to them. Like anyone else, they can experience difficulties. I work with them to try and find solutions to what they’re going through, to reduce their stress. It could be a job search, for example, for people who no longer want to work in the fishing industry. Or it could be a health need: I’ll help them get access to a family doctor. By helping them reduce their stress, they’re able to concentrate more on their work. It lowers tension,” he added.

The Work of a Dock Worker

A psychosocial outreach worker position dedicated to the fishing industry didn’t really exist before now. So how was Patrick initially received in the community? What did people think of his arrival? “I was really well received, both by the people on the docks and by the group of captain-owners. When I arrived there everyone was very happy to see me. Things are going very well. Working with them has been wonderful. From the very first week, they called me the “dock worker.” That means people really identify me with the fishing industry. It’s really appealing,” he replied.

“Since I started, I’ve realized that it’s really obvious that people in the fishing industry need support and action. I intervene and guide them towards services. It motivates me as an outreach worker. I’m more than where I belong, I realize that,” Patrick continued, when asked how he feels about his new role as dock worker. Because, clearly, he’s making a difference to the people he’s helping.

What are his workdays like? “I spend a lot of time on the docks in the Rivière-au-Renard area. I’m not going to talk to the fishers all the time, because they’re working, but the important thing is that they see that I’m there and know that I’ll be there when they need me. I walk around the area. I’ll soon be getting a sticker to identify myself, so everyone will know that I’m the psychosocial outreach worker for the fishing industry, which will make my job easier,” he explained. He added that he is also working to create links with existing services and organizations to support fishers on a broad basis. “I’m talking about fishers, but there’s also the factory workers,” he pointed out.

Advice to Enhance Our Well-Being

If Patrick had just one piece of advice for reducing anxiety and promoting well-being, what would it be? “Communication,” he replied.

“Talk about your problems, your reality. Sometimes it may seem trivial, but talking about it can provide a different perspective and lead to solutions that the person might not have thought of. It can reduce stress,” he continued. He added, just because we don’t see solutions to our problems doesn’t mean they don’t exist. “It can be really beneficial to seek outside help and support, whether it’s from our loved ones, from me, or from other organizations or services,” he explained.

Because communicating and confiding in others, feels good.

Do you need help and would like to speak to an outreach worker? You can contact Convergence at 855 866-4455 or contact Patrick directly at 418-967-8990.

14 April 2024in News

Thinking Outside of the Box with Hommes & Gars

Are you familiar with Hommes & Gars? This community organization has been firmly rooted in the Magdalen Islands since 2013 and is committed to men’s health and well-being on a number of fronts. It’s safe to say: it’s clearly an agent of positive change in the community. How does the organization help men? We talked to Serge Richard, Coordinator, and Pierre-Luc Richard, Awareness and Communications Officer, at Hommes & Gars.

Cultivating Well-Being All the Time

“We’ve realized that we need to think outside the box. I think we stand out from other men’s organizations in Quebec. Sometimes, when I talk about it in groups to which Hommes & Gars belongs, people say to me, “You’re a méchante bibitte,” explained Serge.

That’s because for the organization, supporting men to promote their well-being and helping them take care of their health comes in many diverse ways. “Hommes & Gars isn’t just a place where men come when they’re having difficulties. The helping relationship remains the organization’s priority, but we also try to reach men more broadly. We want to create a living environment with our organization: a place where men can come and see us, whether things are going well or not,” added Serge.

The Services We Offer

How does Hommes & Gars do it? What services does it offer Magdalen men?

Individual Support

First and foremost, the organization offers free, confidential help, and support. It offers one-to-one meetings. Its highly qualified and specially trained counsellors welcome men without judgment, in a spirit of listening and empathy.

“It’s really the first step. Men come for help with issues of domestic violence, both experienced and endured. There’s also everything to do with health and well-being: separation, questioning, grief, anxiety, managing emotions, fatherhood, social relations, etc.” explained Pierre-Luc.

Group Activities

“The 2nd component is group activities, where we tackle different subjects to get people to meet, socialize, and develop other skills at the same time,” continued Pierre-Luc.

“Opening groups starts from a grassroots need. It’s very important for us to listen to people. For example, we have coffee get-togethers, and that really started from a need. Men used to say to us: I want to share lots of things, but I don’t really have anyone in my circle of friends with whom I can have serious discussions. That’s why we decided to open groups,” added Serge.

Reaching out to men through a variety of group activities is also a way of taking preventive action. Cultural activities such as conferences and plays, for example, are a way of addressing male realities and “getting messages across, sparking discussion and reflection,” explained Pierre-Luc. He gave the example of the presentation of a comedy show by Marc Messier, which provided an opportunity to discuss the management of emotions and ego.

Other activities, more focused on overall health, such as community kitchens, promote healthy lifestyle habits. All this, to equip men and nurture their well-being.

Awareness and Education Workshops

And there’s more because Hommes & Gars undertakes many other initiatives. “The 3rd component is more about awareness-raising and popular education. We try to be present as much as possible and create links with other organizations in the area,” replied Pierre-Luc.

“We conduct workshops in schools, particularly on healthy, egalitarian love relationships. In some cases, workshops can be given in organizations. We have a workshop, for example, on sexual harassment in the workplace. These workshops are given in collaboration with other organizations in the community. We also have a workshop on how to encourage men to ask for help when they need it,” he continued.

Serge also told us about a project in partnership with the Secrétariat à la condition féminine, which has just been formalized. “We want to run workshops on sexual harassment in sport among young people. We hear a lot, for example, about what’s going on at Hockey Canada. We want to take the players from an early age to raise awareness, talk about harassment, sexual harassment, consent. We’re going to set up workshops to raise awareness among youngsters, parents, and coaches alike,” he said. It’s another example of the organization’s commitment to promoting positive, healthy behaviours among boys.

And that’s not all. In fact, the organization’s awareness-raising activities also involve communications. “We try to get the word out about our services and talk about health and well-being. We have radio spots, and a Facebook page ,“ replied Pierre-Luc.

Tips for Taking Care of Yourself

With all these services available, it’s clear just how much Hommes & Gars is working to promote men’s well-being. So, we asked Serge and Pierre-Luc if they had a few simple, easily accessible tips to share with us. “On our site, we have self-assessment tools on our love relationships, which help to evaluate, for example: do I have a bad temper? Am I jealous? We do this on our own, and it helps us put things into perspective. Sometimes, when we’re going through more difficult episodes, it’s good to stop and take stock of the situation, then take the time to look at the resources available to us,” explained Pierre-Luc.

Hommes & Gars also offers a variety of tools and tips to help us focus on our health and well-being in its newsletter, another of its awareness-raising initiatives. “There are lots of tips, lots of information. We look for partners to provide us with a wide range of tips. For example, we’ve teamed up with a family doctor who gives us articles to inform people about the importance of taking care of their physical health. We also collaborate with the Gaspé Peninsula – Magdalen Islands Community Justice Center (GPMICJC) on all kinds of subjects that can be sources of stress: fathers’ rights, protection mandates, housing law, etc.,” added the awareness and communications agent.

Interested? Serge and Pierre-Luc invite you to become a member of Hommes & Gars, free of charge, by filling out this form. By becoming a member, you’ll receive this newsletter, as well as invitations to the organization’s activities.

Knocking on the Door of Hommes & Gars

“Our health, our well-being: it’s not just about taking care of them when things aren’t going well. It’s about cultivating them, having the tools in case things don’t go well, knowing what the resources are. We want people to have the tools to take preventive action. We want men to know that the day they run into difficulties and need help, they’ll feel comfortable coming to us,” explained Pierre-Luc, outlining the wide range of actions taken by Hommes & Gars to complement its help and support service.

And the help is there. Even if it’s still difficult for many men to ask for help, more men are daring to do so. “We’re talking about it more and more, but I think we need to keep talking about it more and more. Men are capable of change,” added Serge.

To learn more about Hommes & Gars, visit its website.

19 March 2024in News

How to Age Healthily

Did you know that in Gaspésie and the Îles-de-la-Madeleine, around 30% of the population is aged 65 or over? To encourage active aging among seniors, the Bonaventure RCM, like other RCMs and municipalities in the region, has chosen to become a Senior-Friendly Municipality (MADA). What does this entail? What can be done to promote the health and well-being of people aged 65 and over? What advice can we apply? We spoke to Karen Audet, MADA development worker at the Bonaventure RCM and member of the Table de concertation sur les réalités masculines GÎM.

What Does a Senior-Friendly Municipality (MADA) Do?

Healthy aging: that’s what everyone wants. The Bonaventure RCM is working to make it happen. Together with a number of partners, the RCM is implementing its MADA policy and action plan, launched in 2023. What’s the goal? “It’s to bring about concrete measures based on the principles of active aging. We’re talking about inclusion, volunteering, mobilization, involvement, a caring environment, and a safe environment. We’re thinking about well-being, we’re thinking about adapted services, and we’re also thinking about responses to seniors’ needs,” Karen explained. Although the RCM has only recently been recognized as an Age-Friendly Municipality, a number of interesting projects are already underway.

Like what? The The Seniors’ and Their Families’ Services Directory (in French) recently sent out by mail to people in the RCM, is a case in point. “It’s a need that has emerged very clearly. People don’t know much about the services available to people aged 65 and over, and don’t necessarily know how to find information,” she noted. So, with a view to raising awareness of these services, the partners of the Baie-des-Chaleurs Well-Being Table, with RCM support, set about creating a directory in a practical format, which could, for example, be placed on the fridge so that information could be found there at any time. And this is just one of a number of initiatives that could be implemented.

Contributing to the Community Is Good for Your Health

A social worker by training, Karen is clearly committed to the health and well-being of seniors. In fact, she is working to raise awareness of these issues. But what does she think is the best way to age well and feel healthy?

The secret is to “stay active based on your interests and abilities. The best example is civic involvement: volunteering,” she explained. Do you like driving? Why not lend a hand to an organization by delivering meals to other less active seniors? Do you like sports? Why not offer your services to a field hockey team as a greeter? “It’s doing what you love to do by volunteering. The specialists in this field are the volunteer action centres, ” she added, that encourage people to find out more about volunteer opportunities.

“I advise seniors to do what they’ve always wanted to do if they can afford it, and if they can’t afford it, to do something that is similar to that. I’ve been working with a gentleman for almost 2 years who wants to open a carpentry workshop for seniors. He told me: since I’ve been working on this, I’ve looked 20 years younger. It keeps him active,” Karen commented.

So, “making small changes, getting moving, staying active, including getting involved in the community, can help people stay at home longer and in better shape, and prevent a decline in health and illness. There are all kinds of ways to stay active, you don’t have to be a runner!” she said with a smile.

For the Well-Being of Senior Men

Being active and doing what you love is as good for your morale as it is for your health. And if not, what other day-to-day things can senior men do to promote their well-being? “I think it’s important for senior men to take care of themselves if they want to be there for others, to be present for their loved ones for as long as possible,” she explained. “I know some senior men who are hard on themselves. But to be strong, you have to start by taking care of yourself,” she continued.

Taking care of yourself means, among other things, seeking help when things aren’t going well. “There’s no shame in seeking help when you need it. It’s only human. It’s normal. It’s courageous to ask for help,” she added.

Abuse: Let’s Talk about It

Talking about the well-being of seniors also means breaking the silence on abuse. This is one of the issues on which Karen is working with the Baie-des-Chaleurs Well-Being Table. But what is abuse? “It’s a singular or repetitive act, or a failure to act appropriately that occurs in a relationship where there should be trust, and intentionally or unintentionally causes harm or distress to a person. There are 7 types of abuse: psychological, physical, sexual, material, financial, organizational, violation of rights, and ageism,” Karen explained.

“We can’t accept abuse. With all the good years seniors still have to live, why put up with it? Why put up with things that make them uncomfortable and even unhappy?” she stated, and then returned to her advice: take care of yourself. “It’s never too late to respect yourself and learn to say no.”

And what if you’re a senior and think you’re being abused, or have questions about abuse? “There is help. You can call the Seniors’ Abuse Assistance League at 1-888-489-2287, and there’s also a website,” Karen added. This contact information is also useful for any loved ones who have questions about abuse. The helpline is open 7 days a week, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and the service is free and confidential.

A Big Plus for Society as a Whole

Karen has made us realize the positive asset seniors are to society. They have a wealth of experience and knowledge. An outlook on life that has much to teach younger people. She also spoke of the importance of forging links and intergenerational relationships and emphasized the need to value community spirit and mutual aid. “That’s how I see the MADA policy. It’s about bringing about a change of vision, changing mentalities a little, and changing prejudices towards seniors. I think we have everything to gain by seeking out their expertise, integrating them even more into all spheres to promote active aging,” she explained.

The health and well-being of seniors concerns everyone. Happier, healthier seniors who contribute to the vitality of our communities are good for society as a whole.

To find out more about the Bonaventure RCM’s MADA initiatives, visit its website.

21 February 2024in News

Lull in the Storm: An Anchor for Better Health

Some of us experience moments when everything goes sideways, when we are feeling helpless, in a state of crisis. And at such times, it is important to seek help, for example, in one of the region’s mental health shelters, like Centre Accalmie. “The understanding, the interest shown in me, the active listening: my stay was a great help. My counsellor was like a spark for me,” explains Louis, who found help from this organization when he was going through a depression episode. How does Centre Accalmie help people? We discussed this with Dominique Bouchard, General Manager of Centre Accalmie and President of the Regroupement des organismes communautaires et alternatifs en santé mentale de la Gaspésie-Îles-de-Madeleine (ROCASM-GÎM).

What is the Centre Accalmie?

The name Accalmie immediately brings to mind a moment of peace, when light reappears, and solutions illuminate problems and difficulties. And that’s exactly what Centre Accalmie aims to offer: an emergency shelter for people in difficulty. It is located in Pointe-à-la-Croix, “in a calm, restful environment, on the riverbank, where you can relax and give yourself the resources you need to get better,” explained Dominique.

Centre Accalmie receives people living with “mental health problems, addictions, difficult family situations, people who have been through the justice system, who are homeless, or who are experiencing severe and serious disorders,” mentioned the General Manager.

The house accommodates 8 beds and benefits from a solid team of qualified professionals who offer support and coaching.

At Centre Accalmie, “we start from the person’s experience to offer them a space to explore what they’re going through and give them the tools to make things better. We use alternative practices and try to cover all the areas of a person’s life,” she explained.

Fill up your Toolbox

And if someone asks for help at Centre Accalmie, what can they expect? “The average stay is 15 days. Each person has a designated caseworker and will meet with him or her 4 to 5 times a week, unless there is a crisis, in which case it would be more often. The person seeking help must be 100% involved. We develop an action plan to help them determine what they are looking for at Centre Accalmie: what they want to work on or eliminate from their lives,” Dominique stated.

She explained that the centre offers a framework, a structure “for getting back into good living habits. You have discussions, walks, meetings with your caseworker and creative activities.”

For example, drawing and singing workshops are offered to our guests. “There are some for whom this really resonates with them. We try out different things like that to fill the toolbox of people who come to our shelters,” she said.

Centre Accalmie also offers life within a group. “I often hear laughter in the house. The group discussions and activities mean that people will help each other. It is also part of the process to exchange with others, to get to know something new. Sometimes, it is through contact with others that people say to themselves: Okay, I will roll up my sleeves, I too can make something of my life,” she added.

Help that Reaches Out to Men

At Centre Accalmie, 2 out of 3 people who come for help are men. Why is that? “I think men come here because they get fast, concrete service. They get shelter and we take real action to help them overcome their difficulties. We tell them the truth. We listen. We are in the real world. The men say to us, “It’s great because you welcome us without judgement, we feel welcome as we are,” replied the General Manager.

“I’ve had a lot of testimonials from people saying to me: if I hadn’t found the Centre Accalmie along the way, I wouldn’t be here today. It speaks volumes,” she confided.

“Asking for help takes a lot of courage. I often say: you had the courage to knock on our door, you should be proud of yourself. We are here to help you through this crisis,” she added.

Strategies for Taking Care of Yourself

Welcoming, understanding and committed, Dominique clearly takes people’s well-being to heart. So, we asked this specialist in the field of helping relationships for some simple, everyday tips on how to take care of ourselves and our mental health. The Centre Accalmie web site offers a few tools which, among other things, focus on leisure activities as a way of taking a break from everyday problems and feeling good. Taking free drawing classes, listening to pleasant music, or filling in a gratitude booklet are just a few examples.

Dominique also presents a tool that she leaves at people’s disposal at the Centre Accalmie. A small card (in French) that you can print out, cut out and leave in your wallet. The card says something important to remember: we are never alone. No matter where we are, there is someone available to listen to us in a caring, non-judgmental way. Free, confidential help is available at all times. Several helpful resources are presented on this card, including these.

And of course, if you feel that you are in a crisis and need to find guidance and support to get better, please contact the Centre Accalmie.

“If I ever feel the need to talk to someone I trust and who is a good listener, I make a promise to myself… I will call! Now I know that there is no shame in seeking help if my tools are not enough,” said Mathieu, who has used the Centre Accalmie services.

Help is available. There will always be a hand willing to reach out to you. Dare to take it.

To Learn More About ROCASM-GÎM

Center Accalmie is not alone. Other mental health organizations in the region offer the same kind of services, or complementary ones. They are members of the Regroupement des organismes communautaires et alternatifs en santé mentale de la Gaspésie-Îles-de-Madeleine (ROCASM-GÎM). Shelters and day centres are included among the member organizations: Centre Émilie Gamelin, CRRI, Centre communautaire l’Éclaircie, La Maison à Damas, La Passerelle, Le Sentier de l’Espoir, Groupe d’action sociale et psychiatrique des monts (GASP) and, of course, Centre Accalmie. There is also the Droits et Recours Santé Mentale Gaspésie-Les-Îles and Nouveau regard, a regional organization for loved ones of people with mental health problems.

To learn more about ROCASM-GÎM, you can view the presentation videos on this page (in French).

20 January 2024in News

Helping Fathers and Valuing their Role

A father who stands with arms wide open before his son taking his first steps. An attentive father preparing breakfast for his daughter. “It’s little everyday gestures like these that show us the beauty of our work,” explained Mathieu Michaud, Maison Oxygène Haute-Gaspésie Coordinator. Have you ever heard of Maison Oxygène? It opened in 2021 and is based in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts, offering help to fathers in difficulty. What kind of services does it offer? How does it help dads? And what advice can be given to fathers who want to create more of a bond with their child? We caught up with Mathieu to find out.

What is Maison Oxygène Haute-Gaspésie?

When you think of the name “Maison Oxygène,” you think it’s a place to catch your breath, put your feet up, and get back on track. And that’s exactly what it is. Because at Maison Oxygène Haute-Gaspésie “we welcome dads with kindness and respect. We listen to their distress. We assess their needs. We support them in the things they want to work on, one by one,” explained Mathieu.

Maison Oxygène Haute-Gaspésie “is a resource for father-child support and accommodation. Our mission is to consolidate, maintain, and preserve the ties between fathers and their children. We offer residential, outpatient, and related services. In all cases, a father admitted to Maison Oxygène must want to work on the fatherhood aspect of his life,” continued the specialized educator. How does it work?

Three Ways to Support Fathers

“For accommodation services, the name says it all. We offer a roof over their heads, so that fathers don’t lose touch with their children. It’s often during a separation that they come to us, or during an eviction. It gives them a place to receive their children. Because if the father ends up on a friend’s sofa, chances are they won’t be able to accommodate his children. At Maison Oxygène, we have a room for him and beds for his children. We have 9 beds. We offer all the amenities: dishes, fridges, etc. The dads do the cooking themselves, and are responsible for their children,” Mathieu continued.

“For external services, it’s varied. It has to do with fatherhood and dads’ rights. Often, dads come to us who really don’t know how to go about it, and don’t really understand the steps to take. We help them with all these issues: child support, family allowances, finding a job, etc. We point them in the right direction. We refer them to local organizations. We make personalized referrals and accompany them. We always go at the dad’s pace, based on his needs,” continued Mathieu.

“Otherwise, we have a number of related services. We work to promote the father’s role and his importance in his children’s lives. We get involved in organizing activities like the “Course des papas,” which took place last June, during the “Semaine québécoise de la valorisation de la paternité” in collaboration with other organizations in the social environment. This winter, we’ll also be launching play-based learning activities called “It’s Different with Dad,” which develop the father-child bond,” he added.

Rolling Up Their Sleeves

Mathieu explained that many fathers wait until they’ve reached the end of their rope before seeking help. Maison Oxygène’s counsellors help them “roll up their sleeves, regain their balance, and get on with their lives. Often, for these fathers, problems seem like a mountain, and insurmountable. We break them up into little bits. We work on it a little at a time, and then, at some point, we realize that the bulk of the job is done, that the problems are solved bit by bit,” he explained. The support he gives fathers to work on themselves and their fathering skills, he described as a tool: “I’m the hammer, dad’s the carpenter.”

Doesn’t everyone, at one time or another, need tools to get the job done? Then don’t hesitate to ask Maison Oxygène for help. That’s what Mathieu emphasized. “Asking for help for a man is often difficult.” We try to teach dads to have the humility to ask for help. Our slogan is: Asking for help is courageous. We want to dispel the myth of the man who doesn’t need anyone. Big boys don’t cry: that’s not what we say.

At Maison Oxygène, “we’re seeing some great successes. Last year, we avoided placing two children in care because the fathers had worked on themselves,” pointed out the coordinator, who finds great satisfaction in seeing fathers progress and becoming involved in their children’s lives.

A Father is Important

And why does Maison Oxygène Haute-Gaspésie emphasize the importance of the father-child bond? Because “the father-child bond is just as important as the mother-child bond. The child observes and learns from both mom and dad’s behaviors,” replied Mathieu.

Recent studies explain the benefits of fathers’ involvement in their children’s lives. They point to benefits in terms of cognitive skills (e.g., better school results), language skills (e.g., vocabulary development) and social-emotional skills (e.g., reduced anxiety).

As Mathieu has observed, fathers are getting more and more involved. “I’m proud of the Gaspesian dads”. Apparently, dads are all present in the latest cohorts of prenatal courses here in Haute-Gaspésie. We’re also seeing more dads with diaper bags, caring for their children. I think the more involved fathers are seen and valued in society, the more it will inspire other fathers to get involved,” he added.

How Can You Bond More Closely with Your Child?

Finally, we asked Mathieu to share his tips. As a father: how can we create a stronger bond with our child?

“It’s not rocket science. To develop a bond, you have to spend time with your children. Here’s a tip: hang up the phone, put it down and play with your kids. Learning through father-child play is a winner. Then there’s basic childcare: changing diapers, brushing hair, the bedtime routine: the lullaby, reading a little story. These are the little things that help you develop a bond. It’s also about being involved in your child’s life: going to school report card meetings, accompanying your children in their extracurricular activities: encouraging them at the arena if your child plays field hockey or figure skates. That’s another way of maintaining ties,” he explained. Fathers who are present and involved realize how important it is to forge bonds with their youngsters. Being a father is the greatest adventure of a lifetime. A unique experience. Enriching. Incomparable.

Fathers are role models for their children. Being there for your children, but also knowing how to ask for help when you need it: isn’t that the best way to play this role?

Need help or information? Contact Maison Oxygène Haute-Gaspésie.

17 November 2023in News

Living life at its best when you’re a farmer

What if we took a moment to realize the small victories of everyday life? What if, “instead of seeing everything there is to do, we also saw what we did, the accomplishments we were able to achieve during the day or during the week”? This is one of the tips that Audrée Bourdages, from Au cœur des familles agricoles, offers us to be more satisfied with oneself and to feel good. A rank worker in Gaspe Peninsula and Magdalen Islands, Audrée tells us about the support she offers and shares some advice for living life to its best.

Working in the agricultural sector?

Does Au cœur des familles agricoles mean anything to you? “It is a provincial organization present in most administrative regions of Quebec. We help farmers and their families to promote their well-being and mental health. Our workers are there to help them find a better life balance through what these people experience in their profession,” explains Audrée. A social worker by training, Audrée grew up on a dairy farm. As a rank worker, she is the one who has been offering the services of Au cœur des familles agricoles in our region since the fall of 2021.

But what does a regular worker mean? “My role is very broad. It really depends on the needs of each person I support. What I aim to do is put people first behind the agricultural business. Because often, farmers are people who are super dedicated to their profession; they will put all their energies on their business; and they tend to forget themselves a little. If I manage to bring the priority back to them, to their individual needs, it will be mission accomplished. And this is done in several ways. I can offer individual support; we discuss the situations experienced and then try to find solutions together. Sometimes the process also involves family meetings. Other times, it may involve directing people to other resources, for example: accountants, agricultural advisors or professionals from the health and social services network. We are a bit of a gateway for the agricultural population. In addition, what sets us apart is our flexibility and our desire to offer adapted services. I go to the farms. If there is a person who receives me and who is doing their job or who is in their tractor, well, I go with the person and we talk while they work,” explains Audrée.

Tips for feeling good

Are you a farmer yourself? Or do you have relatives who work in the agricultural sector? We asked Adurée to share another of her well-being tips with us. She replies that one of the tips she often gives is to “slow down the pace when the season allows”. Because it happens that agricultural producers work extra hard in the hope of having “a real vacation, in quotes, like people in the general population”, which ultimately does not come true. Whereas, “taking advantage of calmer moments to slow down can be a good way to take care of yourself. It can have as many beneficial effects as someone going on vacation for a few days. It allows farmers to preserve themselves in their profession in the face of the large workload they have to accomplish on a daily basis,” she explains.

But what to do if, at some point, things no longer work? “It is certain that the basic advice that applies to the general population also applies to farmers. I think, among other things, of the importance of having a social network, people around us who offer us support. When things aren’t going well, it’s always helpful to be able to talk to someone you trust. Otherwise, the other thing that comes to mind is certainly to call Au cœur des familles agricoles. This is a good solution because it allows for a quick response. There is a worker who is responsible for the telephone line. So, even if I am not available to answer the phone, agricultural producers can speak to someone quickly. This service is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Saturday. Sometimes, just being able to vent, to express what we feel, then to start thinking with someone neutral, can be helpful. After that, it’s certain that if the person wants follow-up, the request will be sent to me if they are in the Gasée Peninsula and Magdalen Islands,” replies Audrée.

Talking about men’s well-being is important

Au cœur des familles agricoles helps both female and male customers. However, “there are still a lot of taboos regarding mental health among men,” thinks the rank-and-file worker, who is also involved in the Table de concertation sur les réalités masculines GÎM. According to her, we must work to deconstruct certain beliefs (for example: men must always work things out for themselves). She explains how personalized support and accompaniment can make a big difference in the lives of the people she meets. “Once the step – not always easy – of asking for help is completed, we have created a bond of trust, then the person opens up, that leaves so much room for great successes” . Audrée adds that “people are super grateful”, because they find solutions that they would not necessarily have thought of on their own, help adapted to their needs, a helping hand to get better.

What to remember? That we should not hesitate to seek support when we are experiencing difficulties. The services of Au cœur des familles agricoles are free and confidential. And they can make a big difference. So if you feel like things aren’t going well, don’t be left alone with your problems. Because asking for help is powerful.

To find out more or to contact Au cœur des familles agricoles:
https://acfareseaux.qc.ca/travailleurs-de-rang/territoires/