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By Alice McFarlane

Farmer Wellness Initiative for ag workers

Enhancing mental health supports for Ontario farm workers

Jul 27, 2024 | 8:00 AM

The Farmer Wellness Initiative is being expanded to Ontario farm workers.

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 phone line that connects them to tailored mental health counselling.

Michael Tibollo, Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, said 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 wellbeing. The expansion of the Farmer Wellness Initiative aligns with our Roadmap to Wellness plan, which is making it possible for everyone in Ontario to access timely and high-quality mental health services in every community across the province,” Tibollo said.

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.

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Services offered through the 24/7 phone line include crisis counselling, risk assessments, and face-to-face, phone or video sessions with a counsellor.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On X: @farmnewsNOW