The Canadian and Ontario governments are expanding the Farmer Wellness Initiative for Ontario farm workers.
The two governments are investing up to $538,000 through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP). This will include nearly $178,000 that will be dedicated to supporting the delivery of these services in Spanish.
Free mental health programs will be delivered to farm workers by Agriculture Wellness Ontario and managed by the Ontario Division of the Canadian Mental Health Association.
The Farmer Wellness Initiative will provide agricultural workers and their family members in Ontario unlimited access to a free 24/7 phone line that connects them to tailored mental health counselling.
Services offered through this 24/7 line include crisis counselling, risk assessments, and face-to-face, phone or video sessions with a counsellor.
“Farmers face unique mental health challenges as they work, day in and day out, to provide the resources we all need. They deserve reliable and accessible services to support their well-being,” said Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “The Farmer Wellness Initiative is one more way we are expanding access to care, ensuring farmers, farm workers and their families can better connect to quality care that supports their unique needs, where and when they need it.”
Since its launch in 2022, the Farmers Wellness Initiative has supported 617 farmers and their families.
“As a farmer myself, I know that farmers and folks working on our farms often work long hours and face unique challenges that can make it difficult to prioritize their mental health,” said federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Lawrence MacAulay. "Through this initiative under Sustainable CAP, mental health resources will be more accessible, providing these hard-working people the tools they need, when they need them most.”
Sustainable CAP is a $3.5 billion investment over five-years by the federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada’s agriculture, agri‐food and agri‐based products sector.