ONTARIO-The federal and provincial governments are investing up to $538,000 through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) to expand the Farmer Wellness Initiative to Ontario farm workers.
“We’re pleased to see this much-needed expansion of the Farmer Wellness Initiative. Through our ongoing interaction with the agricultural community, Agriculture Wellness Ontario consistently hears about the challenges faced by farmers and farm workers. This is an important next step in the evolution of ag-based mental health supports in Ontario.” said Camille Quenneville, CEO, Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario.
Nearly $178,000 of that total will be dedicated to supporting the delivery of services in Spanish according to the province.
“Mental health care is essential as it significantly improves the well-being of migrant workers. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize the types of issues that workers face, such as family separation and cultural changes. We are very grateful that the Governments of Canada and Ontario are expanding the Farmer Wellness Initiative to Ontario farm workers and supporting the delivery of services in Spanish. This initiative will help migrant workers feel understood and cared for, preparing them for their daily challenges. This service enriches the community, creating a more inclusive and compassionate society for all.” said Martin Varela, Chairman, Migrant Worker Community Program.
An investigative report by Kawartha 411 in 2017 found an increase in the number of local farmers who have taken their own lives and had mental health professionals concerned.
Although they don’t have exact numbers due to the stigma involved, Jack Veitch, Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge, says he’s hearing a lot more about it recently. “What we do know is I have more anecdotal evidence of a lot of farmers coming to me and reporting instances of suicide.” Veitch told Kawartha 411. “A lot have expressed concerns with just work and then we had a hard season where we came off a year where we had a ton of rain and then no rain and I think a lot of crops were affected and then unfortunately maybe we’ve had a group of professionals that hadn’t talked about their mental health and wellness before and we know when we don’t talk about health and wellness and we don’t address our mental health, bad things can happen.”
A study led by University of Guelph Professor Andria Jones-Bitton, reveals that farmers are feeling the pressure. “A national survey that we conducted in 2015-2016 showed higher levels of stress, depression, and burnout, and lower levels of resilience than the general population,” Jones-Bitton told Kawartha 411. “A recent report from the US CDC showed that farmers (actually categorized as farmers/forestry/fishery combined) were the occupation with the highest rates of suicides amongst males in all professions.”
Jason McIntosh is a local farmer and a member of the Peterborough Kawartha Cattlemen’s Association. Said he knew of at least two farmers in his circle who have died by suicide at the time. “After it happens you hear that it’s happened but I don’t pry and find out what has happened and you really, it’s amazing how tight-knit our community is but you don’t hear that much.”
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The new supports will be delivered by Agriculture Wellness Ontario, a suite of free programming managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, 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. Earlier this year, the line expanded to include farm workers, and now the expansion includes the delivery of mental health services in Spanish to better serve international agricultural workers.
Services offered through the 24/7 phone line include crisis counselling, risk assessments, and face-to-face, phone or video sessions with a counsellor.
“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 the Honourable Lawrence MacAulay, federal Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “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.”
“The expansion of services to farm workers and their families reflects the reality that the entire agricultural community experiences unique stressors that require tailored solutions,” said Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness. “By increasing access to mental health services for everyone involved in the business of farming, we are supporting those who work hard to grow our sector and provide food for people across Ontario and throughout the world.”
Today’s action builds on a series of recently launched and expanded free mental health supports for workers in the farming sector. It also supports the priorities of the Ontario government’s Grow Ontario Strategy, which include strengthening the stability of our agri-food supply chain and attracting and growing local agri-food talent.
“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.”
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