Do More Ag welcomes news of 9-8-8 mental health hotline

Sep 06, 2022

The three-digit number will be operational by fall 2023

By Diego Flammini
Staff Writer
Farms.com

A mental health organization dedicated to supporting members of Canada’s ag community is pleased a new three-digit mental health number is coming to Canada.

“The Do More Agriculture Foundation has been a vocal supporter of creating a national three-digit mental health crisis line,” Megz Reynolds, Do More Ag’s executive director, told Farms.com.

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) announced last week that beginning in November 2023, Canadians experiencing a mental health crisis can dial of text 9-8-8 for support.

The U.S. launched 9-8-8 as its national mental health hotline in July.

Do More Ag plans to support the mental health responders.

Farm Management Canada’s Healthy Minds Healthy Farms report found “farmers are more likely to participate in support programs offered by providers familiar with agriculture and that cater to the unique needs of farmers.”

Do More Ag’s literacy program, AgCulture, could be a benefit to responders, Reynolds said.

“We are thankful for the CRTC’s announcement to launch in the fall of 2023 and will be working on delivering Do More’s agriculture literacy program to the mental health clinicians supporting the line,” she said.

A Conservative MP spearheaded the movement to bring a three-digit suicide prevention hotline to Canada.

Todd Doherty, the MP for Cariboo-Prince George, introduced a bill in December 2020 to establish 9-8-8 in Canada. Parliament unanimously approved the bill that month.

Doherty has a personal connection to suicide, losing his friend Kenny at 14-years-old.

Upon the CRTC’s announcement to bring 9-8-8 to Canada, Doherty posted a message on social media.

It took too long but I am grateful for the @CRTCeng decision to finally #bring988tocanada .#thankyou @CAMHnews @cspyyc pic.twitter.com/29xiAHHrNW
— Todd Doherty (@ToddDohertyMP) August 31, 2022

“I just got word that the CRTC is going to adopt our push to implement 9-8-8, giving Canada a simple three-digit suicide hotline, and I’m moved to tears,” he said from inside his car. “I’m thankful for everybody that brought their voice forward to get this done. It’s so needed, and just a heartfelt thanks.”

If you or someone you know needs mental health support, multiple resources are available:

Talk Suicide Canada – 1-833-456-4566 (1-866-277-3553 in Quebec)
Adults can text 641741 and youth can text 686868
Residents of Quebec can text 1-855-957-5353

Farms.com has also compiled a list of mental health supports available in each province.

Video: Canada's Agriculture Day 2025

Let's celebrate Canadian agriculture.

Well, number one, you don't eat without farmers. Farmers put food on the table. And what could be more important than that?

Well, I think it's important that Canadians understand exactly what takes place, what happens to produce this food, no matter what sector you're talking about.

An awful lot of work goes into that. It's important to understand that meat does not come out of a showcase, and milk does not come out of a bottle. It's produced by farmers and hard work.

Canada has the best farmers in the world. And agriculture is vital to Canada.

In 2024, our agriculture and agri-food sector represented $150 billion of Canada's GDP, nearly $100 billion of our exports, and one in nine jobs.

From grains to fruits to dairy and beef, we are truly blessed with an incredible bounty. Having spent my whole life in agriculture, I see so much potential for the sector.

This time last year, I was proud to open our first-ever agriculture and trade office in the Indo-Pacific, the world’s fastest-growing economy, to cement our presence in the region and grow our exports even more. We've also been making historic investments to help our farmers to boost their yields, protect the planet, and earn a fair living.

The world wants more top-quality, sustainable food, and I know our Canadian farmers can deliver. And it's so important that you do that with pride. We need you.

Quite simply, you eat the most top quality food in the world. You do that because of the quality of farmers and ranchers you have in this country.

Just say thank you to a farmer or a rancher. They work very hard, yes, for a living, but also with a sense of pride in what they produce.

That's what Canada's Agriculture Day is all about.