Prof. Andria Jones-Bitton, Department of Population Medicine, spoke to U.K.’s Guardian newspaper about the mental health struggles of farmers and growers.

She told the newspaper that modern farming in a globalized world in which farmers are often at the whim of  trade disputes have concentrated pressures on Canadian farmers, so that nearly half now report they feel immense stress from their job, according to her research.

The article noted while many are working to improve awareness of mental health among farmers, suicide has become a growing occupational hazard.

Jones-Bitton has conducted groundbreaking research on the mental health struggles of Canadian farmers and agricultural workers. She and her team are now working to raise awareness among farmers about mental health issues and to help them cope in a healthy way with the stresses of running a farm.