TORONTO – The provincial and federal governments are spending at least $8 million to support the mental health and wellness of farmers and their families, according to an Oct. 10 press release.
The “Farmer Wellness Initiative,” the “In the Know” program and the “Guardian Network” will remain available to everyone who needs those resources as a result of the funding, the release states.
The initiatives are designed to meet the unique mental health needs of farmers and their families and are delivered by the Canadian Mental Health Association.
“Our farmers and their families face unique challenges, often due to forces that are beyond their control. This can have a severe impact on their mental health, and we will continue to invest in targeted initiatives to support them,” federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay stated in the release.
Ontario agriculture minister Lisa Thompson stated: “A life in agriculture is incredibly rewarding and fulfilling, but it also comes with unique stressors and challenges.”
Thompson stated spending will ensure resources are in place to support farmers.
To ensure more people in the agricultural community know about the supports available to them, the release states a new promotional initiative is being launched called the “Sowing the Seeds of Wellness Initiative.”
The initiative will make promotional materials available to eligible general farm and commodity organizations for use and display at member events.
Funding will also be available over the next two years so organizations can produce customized materials, engage speakers, and/or develop other promotional activities that will provide farmers and their families with mental health-related information.
“Through the Roadmap to Wellness, we are making it possible for everyone in Ontario to access timely and low-barrier mental health services,” stated Ontario’s associate mental health minister Michael Tibollo, in the release.
“Farmers work day-in and day-out to provide the resources we all need, so they deserve our full support. This investment is another example of how our government is building a mental health system designed to provide high-quality care in every community across the province – not just in urban centers,” Tibollo stated.
Funding primarily comes from the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year $3.5-billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of the agriculture sector.
