Part of the Farmer Wellness Initiative (FWI), which responds to growing mental health issues in the agricultural sector by providing more accessible mental health and wellness support to farm families across the province
PRESS RELEASE
ONTARIO FEDERATION OF AGRICULTURE
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A telehealth line that provides mental wellness support to all Ontario farmers and farm families is now online. It is part of the Farmer Wellness Initiative (FWI), which responds to growing mental health issues in the agricultural sector by providing more accessible mental health and wellness support to farm families across the province.
“The mental health crisis in the farming community has been well documented in recent years and the Farmer Wellness Initiative fills a critical gap for farmers and their families across Ontario,” says Peggy Brekveld, farmer and President of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). . “In summary, if you are part of a farm family in Ontario and need mental health support for any reason, this telehealth line is available to you.”
The OFA partnered with the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) – Ontario Division and LifeWorks to develop and launch this initiative. This is the first step in a multi-year, province-wide program that offers free counseling services virtually, in person or over the phone by professional counselors with agricultural backgrounds and training.
The confidential helpline is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in English and French, as well as up to 30 other languages, and the new FWI website explains how to use the free service.
To raise public awareness, the OFA launched the Farmer Wellness Initiative – Field to Fork Campaign with various Bell Media outlets across the province which includes television, radio, print and online advertising. A One-minute film focusing on mental healthspecific to FWI, will be widely shared on social media platforms and FWI will have a booth alongside ACSM Ontario at Canada’s Outdoor Farm Show in Woodstock September 13-15. Additionally, gear and giveaways will be available at the International Plowing Show in Kemptville September 20-24, and future exhibits at various other agricultural and rural events this fall and winter.
Additionally, several Ask the Expert shows on radio station 1290 CJBK AM in London will focus on mental health in agriculture, including a segment on September 17 featuring Brekveld and fellow farmer Joe Dickenson, discussing farm family mental health issues, and one on October 1 with CMHA’s Kristin Wheatcroft that will discuss available support programs. Both segments will run from 1:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m.
“We want to let as many farmers and their families know about this new service and that help is available if anyone needs it, regardless of their membership or affiliation with a farm organization,” Bruce said. Buttar, director of OFA and president of Farmer Wellness. Initiative Advisory Committee. “We have developed many resources to help break the silence around mental health, including the new FWI website which helps people identify when they might need help and what happens once they pick up the phone to make that first call.”
The other members of the advisory committee represent the Christian Farmers Federation of Ontario, the Union des cultivateurs franco-ontariens, the National Farmers Union, the Canadian Mental Health Association – Ontario, the University of Guelph and the Rural Ontario Institute. .
The Mental Health Helpline for Farmers can be reached at 1-866-267-6255; additional resources are available on the Farmer Wellness Initiative website.
Funded in part by the governments of Canada and Ontario and through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership (the Partnership), a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative.
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