Mental Health First Aid for Farmers

According to Statistic Canada, one in four Canadians will suffer from a mental illness during their lives. A number that has climbed from one in five in 2020. And those numbers just consider those willing and able to seek help. The number may be even higher.

About 35% of farmers meet the classification of depression, 45% of them report high stress, 58% meet the classification for anxiety, and 68% of farmers are more susceptible than the general population to chronic stress, which leads to physical and mental illness.

Yet mental health is still seldom discussed, and many places, especially rural areas, lack the proper resources to provide adequate help.

And those working in the agricultural industry are at a higher risk than others. Farmers may, unfortunately, struggle to know where to turn when they need help due to an actual or perceived lack of resources.

To address this, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) has partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Ontario, the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA), and other experts have teamed up to create initiatives that will directly impact the well-being of those in the agricultural business.

The three main programs are:

1. In the Know: It is a free four-hour workshop to start a conversation about mental well-being. The workshop uses real-life examples from the agricultural sector and teaches people how to deal with their stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and the like before it becomes a crisis. Classes are offered monthly.

2. Farmer Wellness Initiative: This program provides free counselling services and mental health support to all farmers in Ontario and their families. The services are tailored to provide mental health to those undergoing challenges in the agricultural industry. Their line is accessible 24/7 at 1-866-267-6255. Once a person calls in, they will be matched with a mental health professional to help guide them.

3. The Guardian Network: This network is a volunteer-based suicide prevention program. Though people in a crisis can always call 911 or present themselves to an emergency room for immediate help, one may prefer to reach out to a guardian. These volunteers are there for their peers and are equipped with strategies, resources and tools to properly react to a farmer at risk of suicide.