$10 million investment ensures three more years of accessible mental health programming for farmers

Ontario farmers will continue to have access to agricultural mental health initiatives for the next three years thanks to $10 million in new federal and provincial funding.

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“The well-being of our farmers and agricultural workers is critical to ensuring they can continue their important work,” Camille Quenneville, CEO of Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA ) Ontario, said in a release.

“We are so grateful for this funding, as it will give farmers and their families access to the mental health services and community they need to thrive, both personally and professionally.”

Why it matters: The funding ensures farmers can access critical mental health services and support through the Canadian Mental Health Association and Ontario’s Agriculture Wellness Ontario’s Farmer Wellness Initiative and Guardian Network programs to the end of 2027.

The Farmer Wellness Initiative provides unlimited free access to tailored mental health counselling through a 24-7 phone line for Ontario farmers, farm workers and their family members. Services include crisis and ongoing counselling support in English, French and Spanish to better serve international agricultural workers.

Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness said in the release “With these mental health programs, help is just a phone call away, making a real difference for individuals and strengthening the entire agriculture and food industry.”

The Guardian Network is a peer-driven community of mental health advocates (Guardians) who live and work in Ontario’s agricultural communities likely to be in contact with farmers through their work, volunteer activities, or their community standing. Guardians receive training equipping them with strategies and tools to identify someone struggling with mental health or having thoughts of suicide, open discussion around mental health and have constructive conversations about struggles while connecting individuals with appropriate mental health and crisis resources.

“There are so many joys that come with farming, but our producers also face unique challenges that can have a direct impact on their mental health,” said Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “Through this shared investment under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, farmers across Ontario will continue to have better access to the tailored mental health tools and supports they need, when they need them.”

The Farmer Wellness Initiative and Guardian Network have been operating successfully since 2022. As part of the Agriculture Wellness Ontario suite of programs, these specialized services are committed to bringing mental health education, counselling services and enhanced community support to rural and agricultural communities across the province.

For more information on the Farmer Wellness Initiative and Guardian Network or to get involved, please visit www.agriculturewellnessontario.ca.