Farming is a profoundly meaningful vocation, grounded in a close relationship to nature and the land, and providing communities with the food that nourishes us all. It’s also a lifestyle that comes with significant sources of stress like unpredictable weather, pests to fend off, high input costs and volatile markets, not to mention the COVID-19 pandemic and inflation.
A study from the University of Guelph found that the mental health of farmers is worse than it was 5 years ago, and worse than that of the general public. Indeed, of the nearly 1,200 Canadian farmers who completed the survey, 76% reported that they were experiencing moderate or high perceived stress. Moreover, a recent study shows that psychological distress in farmers is strongly related to systemic factors that negatively impact the financial stability of farms.
At Regeneration Canada, our definition of regenerative agriculture necessarily involves the well-being of agricultural workers. We strive towards this by promoting practices that boost farm resilience and by working alongside our multi-stakeholder network to promote increased institutional support of farmers, including the recognition of the added value provided by regenerative practices.
In honour of Mental Health Week, we now want to share this directory of mental health resources and crisis lines available to farmers across Canada. Through these various resources, you will find opportunities to:
● Seek out help that is appropriate to your struggles;
● Find out how you can help someone you’re worried about;
● Learn how to recognize the signs of a mental health crisis in yourself and others, and what are the appropriate resources to face it;
● Help out by donating time or money to organizations so they can continue to act as a safety net.
We invite you to bookmark this page or some of the listed resources, and to share the information around widely.
National
Agriculture
● The Do More Agriculture Foundation
Charity organization focusing on mental health in agriculture across Canada through awareness, community and resources
● Stigma-Free Society: Rural Mental Wellness Toolkit
Provides resources for individuals living in agricultural and rural communities
● Talk Suicide Canada
● Wellness Together Canada
● Hope for Wellness Helpline (for all Indigenous people across Canada)
Yukon
General
Northwest Territories
General
Nunavut
General
● Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Helpline
British Columbia
Agriculture
● AgSafe – Mental Wellness Resources
Find mental wellness resources like helplines, mental health literacy webinars, and mental wellness practitioners providing counselling services to farmers
General
● BC Crisis Centre
● HealthLink BC 811
Alberta
Agriculture
● AgKnow
Whether it’s accessing resources for yourself, or pointing a farmer in the right direction, AgKnow is your partner in farm mental health
General
● Alberta Mental Health Help Line
● 211 Alberta
Saskatchewan
Agriculture
● Farm Stress Line
24hr, 7 days a week response through a 1-800 toll free phone line with a proven expertise in crisis counselling
● Mobile Crisis Services
● HealthLine 811
● 211 Saskatchewan
Manitoba
Agriculture
● Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program
No-cost, short-term counselling program is delivered by professionals with backgrounds in agriculture
● Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services
Free, confidential and non-judgmental counselling for anyone who lives on a Manitoba farm
● Manitoba Suicide Prevention and Support Line
Ontario
Agriculture
● Agriculture Wellness Ontario
Bringing mental health education, counselling services and enhanced community support to rural and agricultural communities across the province
Québec
Agriculture
● Au coeur des familles agricoles
Front-line psychosocial services to improve the well-being of farm families throughout Quebec
● Écoute Agricole
Front-line listening and support service for people from the agricultural community who are experiencing psychosocial problems in the Laurentians and Outaouais
● Union des producteurs agricoles – Mental health resources
Including the Programme d’aide aux agriculteurs (PAPA), formation sentinelle and travailleurs de rang
New Brunswick
Agriculture
● Farm Talk Care
A hub where mental health and wellness training, tools, and resources can be easily accessed
General
● Chimo Helpline
● Tele-Care 811
Nova Scotia
Agriculture
● Farm Family Support Center
Call for confidential and immediate support 24/7/365
● We Talk. We Grow.
Raising awareness and taking action to protect and nurture the mental health and well-being of Nova Scotia’s farming community
● Provincial Mental Health and Addictions Crisis Line
Prince Edward Island
Agriculture
● Farmers Talk
Find resources or call the PEI Farmer Assistance Program to talk with a professional counselor
● Mental Health and Addictions Phone Line
Newfoundland and Labrador
General
● 811 HealthLine
● Canadian Mental Health Association, Newfoundland & Labrador Division
Did we miss anything? Please get in touch with us at communications@regenerationcanada.org or via our social media platforms to let us know!
Sources: Farmers Talk, Farms.com, National Farmers Union
