Two initiatives designed to meet the mental health needs of the agricultural community will continue for the next three years thanks to close to $10 million in new funding from the federal and provincial governments.
With this new funding, the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA), Ontario's Agriculture Wellness Ontario will continue delivering its Farmer Wellness Initiative and Guardian Network programs through the end of 2027. This investment will help ensure farmers continue to have access to critical mental health services and supports as they navigate the challenges of their demanding industry.
The Farmer Wellness Initiative provides farmers, farm workers and their family members in Ontario with unlimited access to a free, 24-7 phone line that connects them to tailored mental health counselling. Services offered through the phone line include crisis and ongoing counselling support. The line recently expanded to offer services in Spanish to better serve international agricultural workers, in addition to being offered in English and French.
The Guardian Network is a peer-driven community of mental health advocates who live and work in Ontario’s agricultural communities. A Guardian is an individual who is likely to be in contact with farmers through their work, volunteer activities, or their place in their community. Through Guardian Network training, Guardians are equipped with strategies and tools to identify when someone is struggling with their mental health or having thoughts of suicide; have constructive conversations about their struggles and open the discussion around mental health; and connect individuals with appropriate mental health and crisis resources.
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