More funding is being put towards supporting the mental well-being of those in Ontario’s agriculture industry.
The federal and provincial governments are investing up to $538,000 through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership to expand the Farmer Wellness Initiative to Ontario farm workers. Nearly $178,000 of that funding will be dedicated to supporting the delivery of services in Spanish to better serve international farm workers.
“As a farmer myself, I know that farmers and folks working on our farms often work long hours and face unique challenges that can make it difficult to prioritize their mental health,” said the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Through this initiative under Sustainable CAP, mental health resources will be more accessible, providing these hard-working people the tools they need, when they need them most.”
Delivered by Agriculture Wellness Ontario, a suite of free programming managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, the Farmer Wellness Initiative provides farmers, farm workers and their family members in Ontario with unlimited access to a free, 24/7 phone line (1-866-267-6255) that connects them to tailored mental health counselling.
Services offered through the 24/7 phone line include crisis counselling, risk assessments, and face-to-face, phone or video sessions with a counsellor.
According to a 2021 study conducted by the University of Guelph, 76 per cent of farmers experience moderate or high stress.
“Farmers face unique mental health challenges as they work, day in and day out, to provide the resources we all need. They deserve reliable and accessible services to support their well-being,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “The Farmer Wellness Initiative is one more way we are expanding access to care, ensuring farmers, farm workers and their families can better connect to quality care that supports their unique needs, where and when they need it.”
