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By Alice McFarlane

SaskAgMatters Mental Health Network

Mental health services for the agriculture sector

Mar 31, 2026 | 3:22 PM

Starting tomorrow, SaskAgMatters Mental Health Network Inc. will manage the Farm Stress Line as part of a coordinated mental health support system for Saskatchewan producers, their family members and their employees.  

The new partnership offers 24/7 confidential access to crisis line counsellors trained in agriculture, as well as follow-up counselling sessions with Saskatchewan-based registered mental health professionals with backgrounds in agriculture.  

Ottawa and the Saskatchewan Government will provide $200,000 per year for the next two years for the Farm Stress Line and counselling services through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP). 

SaskAgMatters is a Saskatchewan-based organization of producers and mental health professionals. The organization is enhancing its local counselling services through a partnership with the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing to provide crisis support services from counsellors with agricultural training through the National Farmer Crisis Line. 

Board chair and co-founder Cynthia Beck said SaskAgMatters was founded to break down the barriers that Saskatchewan farm families face when trying to get help. 

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“We have removed the time and stress involved in finding a mental health professional and cover the financial cost of these services,” Beck said. “Our counsellors offer flexible appointment times and will meet by telephone or virtually.” 

Dr. Michelle Pavloff is an Associate Professor at the USask College of Nursing and co-founder of SaskAgMatters. She said through research, they listened to Saskatchewan farmers and ranchers.  

“Their experiences guided this new approach to mental health support, including a refreshed Farm Stress Line and access to therapy provided by those who understand agriculture, either through lived experience or training. This work was built with producers, and we are proud to be advancing farmer mental health in Saskatchewan,” Pavloff said. 

“People working in agriculture face stressful work conditions affecting their livelihood and wellbeing,” Saskatchewan Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “They need support from mental health professionals who understand the industry and who will ensure confidentiality for those who reach out. The Farm Stress Line has a proud history of supporting the agricultural community, and these improved services will help protect the health of people working in the sector.”  

The Farm Stress Line toll-free number – 1-800-667-4442 – will stay the same. Producers can call about anything affecting their wellbeing, including financial stress, family pressures, anxiety, depression, burnout or concern for someone else.      

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com