Ottawa, Ontario announce over $7 million investment for farmers' mental health

The federal and Ontario governments are jointly investing more than $7 million through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership to launch two, new multi-year mental health initiatives that are specialized to protect the mental health of farmers and their families.

"The farming community has demonstrated great strength and resilience throughout the pandemic, but mental health challenges often go unseen. If you are struggling, the first step is to reach out, because you are not alone in facing these challenges,” said Marie-Claude Bibeau, federal minister of agriculture and agri-food. “These new agricultural mental health programs expand resource availability to help Ontario farmers and employees if they're struggling with their mental health."

The funding will be used for the Guardians Network and a new program modelled after the successful Farmer Wellness Program pioneered by mental health specialist Deborah Vanberkel.

Both programs will provide Ontario farm families across the province with free counselling services as well as help connect at-risk farmers with tailored support and resources.

The programs are expected to launch early next year and will be developed in consultation with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and other mental health sector experts.

The Partnership is a five-year, $3-billion commitment by Canada's federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada's agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes a $2 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60 per cent federally and 40 per cent provincially/territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.

In September, a southern Ontario farm is being prosecuted for alleged workplace safety violations leading to 199 migrant workers contracting the coronavirus, and one dying of the disease.

Eight weeks after overcoming the virus, more than 50 per cent of patients experienced cognitive disturbances, and 16 per cent presented depressive symptoms, according to a previous report.

"I very much understand and appreciate how stressful running a farm can be, working 365 days a year and dealing with unpredictable weather, commodity prices and increasing costs of production,” said Lisa Thompson, Ontario minister of agriculture, food and rural affairs. “Add in the pandemic, and these pressures are having a real effect on the mental health of farmers and their families. That's why our government is providing the necessary funding for these programs, and is committed to doing everything we can to help address these challenges and support mental health in our farming communities."

Feedback

The announcement received positive feedback from stakeholders.

"We're very pleased to further our partnership with OMAFRA through delivery of additional, much-needed mental health supports for farmers and their families,” said Camille Quenneville, CEO, CMHA. “Building on the delivery of our farm mental health literacy program In the Know, the expansion of this important wellness program and introduction of a suicide prevention network will protect and enhance the mental well-being of farmers and the farm community.”   

“The mental wellness of Ontario farmer's is one of our biggest priorities, so we are thrilled to partner with CMHA Ontario to raise awareness about the Farmer Wellness Program and The Guardians Network. These targeted initiatives will be invaluable to farmers and throughout the agriculture sector," Peggy Brekveld, President, OFA.

Previously, mental health and addiction prevention organizations in Ontario called on the government to reduce wait times for such services.

And the federal government announced it is investing $9,275,000 to provide support to 57 distress centres across the country.

However, 72 per cent of employers say that the stigma of mental health blocks employees from receiving adequate care, according to a report.