FARM STRESS PSYCHOLOGIST HIRED

Dr. Nikki Gerrard, a community psychologist and well respected in the area of

farm stress, recently began her new duties as a Provincial Farm Stress

Consultant.



Dr. Gerrard is working with health district staff and volunteers to expand

their skills in responding to farm stress. Saskatchewan Health obtained Dr.

Gerrard's services through a contract agreement with the Saskatoon District

Health.



Many health districts in rural areas offer addiction services, health promotion

and farm injury prevention and safety programs. There are mental health

services in 100 communities throughout the province.



Dr. Gerrard is serving as a resource for health district personnel, and other

stakeholders, working in the area of farm stress. Among other things, she has

developed a farm stress workshop kit and is training staff to present these

workshops.



Dr. Gerrard has worked in the area of farm stress for more than nine years.

She has conducted and published research on farm stress, rural women's health

and, most recently, a study on stress resiliency in rural residents in

Saskatchewan.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Communications Branch

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088