THUNDER BAY — Two programs aimed at supporting the mental health of farmers have been extended.
Agriculture Wellness Ontario received notice recently that they will receive $10 million in new program funding will continue their Farmer Wellness Initiative and the Guardian Network, said Bethany Parkinson, manager of psychological support and education.
The programs are available across the province, said Parkinson, and used by farmers in the region.
“I do know that there are folks that call (the Farmer Wellness Initiative) from Northwestern Ontario and within the Guardian Network we do have quite a few awesome guardians from the Northwestern Ontario region.
“I know that there is a demand there, I think very similar to other areas within Ontario. Sometimes the stressors within agriculture and farming may be a bit different depending on weather and what type of farming is in each area, but I would say it's very consistent the need for mental health support across Ontario.”
The Famer Wellness Initiative is both a crisis and ongoing counselling line for farmers, farm workers and their families, that is free, unlimited and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, Parkinson said.
“Folks who are in crisis can call and speak to a counsellor immediately, and if folks are looking for more ongoing counselling support but aren't in crisis, they can call the line, they would speak to an intake worker who would take some of their information.”
Parkinson said the line is confidential, like seeing a family doctor, but it is not anonymous. Some information must be given.
“They would speak to a counsellor within two to five business days, either by phone, virtually, or if there's a counsellor available within their area, in person, if that's what they would like.”
It is a quick turnaround time, Parkinson said, adding that the service is not just for farming related issues but anything related to their life.
“They can keep seeing their counsellor as long as they need. All of the counsellors on the line are either social workers or psychotherapists, and they either do reside rurally or have a background in farming. All of the counsellors are required to take an agricultural literacy training so that they have an understanding of the difficulties that farmers experience.
Parkinson said anyone 12 and over can access the line for support, and anyone aged 12 to 15 needs parental consent for the first appointment.
“The Guardian Network is our suicide prevention and life promotion program,” she said.
The program involves a one-day training where people are equipped with the skills to recognize the signs of risk and distress among farmers. They learn how to have a conversation with someone, and especially how to recognize the signs of suicidal ideation. The training also teaches people how to utilize the Farmer Wellness Initiative.
“Following the training, the Guardian Network is a network of folks that are well connected across Ontario's agriculture community. It's totally voluntary and optional if folks who want to join the program following in the training. We meet once a month virtually, to have what's called the Guardian Network connect, where we check in with each other, and we learn a new mental health skill.”
Agriculture Wellness Ontario’s programs are backed by research, Parkinson said.
“In 2016, and it was updated in 2021, it will be updated in 2026 as well, a national study of farmer mental health was completed. The study is available online and it did indicate some pretty alarming statistics based on farming mental health and supports that farmers specifically need.
“Farming is quite a lifestyle, not just a job. Having mental health supports that really support this industry and the people that work in it, and supporting family farms too, I think is absolutely necessary, and which is the reason why our funders provided the funding for this, and then connected with Canadian Mental Health Association Ontario division to set these programs up,” Parkinson said.
There was a training session in Thunder Bay for the Guardian Network just over two years ago, said Parkinson, and Agriculture Wellness Ontario officials are very interested in bringing another one to the city.
For more information, visit the website for Agriculture Wellness Ontario, The Guardian Network or The Farmer Wellness Initiative.