Support your mental health and the mental health of those around you by staying informed and knowing what resources are available.
The list below is not exhaustive, for any additions or modifications to the list, please send us an email.
National
Canadian Agricultural Safety Association
https://casa-acsa.ca/en/canadian-agricultural-safety-association/
The Canadian Agricultural Safety Association provides farmers and their families the information and tools they need to make their farm a safe place to live, work and play. They have many publications on mental health and stress topics in their SafetyShop Library.
Do More Ag Foundation
The Do More Agriculture Foundation provides many resources for mental health within the agriculture industry. You can access articles on many topics such as communication, navigating stress, tips and strategies for coping; AgTalk an anonymous online community to connect, share and receive support; mental health assessment tools; a resource list and private and public workshops both virtually and in person addressing mental health issues in the agriculture industry:
- Talk. Ask. Listen. Workshop spreads mental health awareness by teaching the signs and symptoms of mental health, supports available, self-care strategies and how to have hard conversations.
- Mental Health First Aid Workshop teaches you ways you can respond when someone is having a mental health crisis.
- Field of Mind: Supporting Men's Mental Well-Being Workshop for men to open up about their mental health experiences and share what has helped them cope.
- In the Know: Mental Health Training for Agriculture Workers Workshop shares information on stress, depression, anxiety, substance misuse and how to start difficult conversations.
- SafeTALK Workshop looks at how to reach out to someone who may be thinking about suicide using a 4-step model to act as a connector to further support.
- Grief Connection: Recognizing Grief – What Does It Look Like? Workshop addresses how grief affects our lives and provides a space to learn, share and discuss our experiences.
Farm Credit Canada
https://www.fcc-fac.ca/en/community/wellness.html
Farm Credit Canada has created a Rooted in Resilience program to focus on farmer mental health.
- You can read their publication to support mental health with information on signs and symptoms, strategies to help yourself and others and available resources.
- They also post articles on various mental health topics.
- Their Wellness Assessment Tool is a self-assessment tool to help get in touch with how you are feeling and if you require support and/or self-care.
They hold events to support the agriculture community such as Farm Strong: Mental Health and Resilience Strategies for Farming Families online workshop to discuss coping strategies within the demanding work of agriculture.
Farm Safety Roundup Podcast
https://www.realagriculture.com/farm-safety-roundup/
Episode 4: Mental health in agriculture — are you ready?
The First Sixteen - Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's podcast
https://agriculture.canada.ca/en/agri-info/first-sixteen-podcast
Episode 10: Mental health on the farm
Episode 13: Mental health: from the farmer's perspective
Episode 14: Mental health: UPAs work to break the stigma
National Farmer Mental Health Alliance
The National Farmer Mental Health Alliance connects farmers to therapists who understand the unique pressures of the agriculture industry, trains therapists to take on an agriculture focused perspective and facilitates farmer workshops on a variety of mental health related topics.
Mind Your Farm Business Podcast
https://www.realagriculture.com/mind-your-farm-business/
Episode 39: Making headway on mental health in agriculture
Episode 65: Dealing with chronic stress and trauma
RealAg on the Weekend Podcast
https://www.realagriculture.com/realag-weekend/
Sep 14, 2024: Feed testing, mental wellness, and beef export demands
Wheat Pete's Word Podcast
https://www.realagriculture.com/category/podcasts/wheat-petes-word/
Jan 24, 2024: Clover growth, dormancy in wheat, picking P, and mental health
Alberta
AgKnow
Alberta Farm Mental Health Network
AgKnow spreads mental health awareness for access to resources and service agencies that provide mental health care and resources. Find an agriculturally informed therapist, mental health workshops and mental health check in tools.
Rural Distress Line
1-800-232-7288
Rural Distress Line provides 24/7 support for the rural community for those who may be in mental distress.
British Columbia
AgLife Network
The AgLife Network supports farmers and agricultural workers of British Columbia to navigate mental health challenges. AgLife provides a resource list, mental health stories and articles. Supporters can become “Connectors” through training to spread mental health awareness and learn how to identify someone who may be experiencing thoughts of suicide. Connectors also encourage others to ask for help and practice self-care.
AgSafe BC
AgSafe BC has partnered with mental wellness practitioners to provide free and confidential counselling services for all members of the BC agriculture community.
Manitoba
Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services
Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services offers free 24/7 counselling for Manitoba farmers and northerners.
Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program
This program, created especially for farmers, offers six free counselling sessions for farmers and their families in Manitoba.
Touch of Equine
Touch of Equine offers a deep understanding of where you are coming from in a producer-to-producer experience to discover what you need to work on and how you can move forward. They offer events, retreats as well as in-person and virtual coaching sessions.
New Brunswick
Farm Talk Care
Farm talk care, to support New Brunswick farmers to ensure a strong and resilient agriculture sector. Link to resources, workshops and training.
Nova Scotia
Farm Family Support Line
1-833-754-3692
The Farm Family Support Line Is a 24/7 for farmers, their families and their employees to call for immediate support.
Farm Safety NS
Farm Safety NS provides support and tools to farmers to operate a safe and productive farm. You can attend their Workplace Mental Health Courses: In the Know, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Health and Wellness.
We Talk. We Grow.
We Talk. We Grow. is an initiative of Farm Safety Nova Scotia raising awareness and taking action to protect and nurture the mental health and well-being of Nova Scotia’s farming community.
Ontario
Ag Wellness Ontario (OFA CAMH partnership)
https://agriculturewellnessontario.ca/
Ag Wellness Ontario brings mental health education, counselling services and community support to rural and agricultural communities.
- Farmer Wellness Initiative: Free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Mental Health Counselling 1-866-267-6255
- Guardian Network: A program for anyone who works directly with farmers to learn identification techniques for mental health crises and suicidal behaviour.
- In the Know mental health literacy program: For anyone in the agriculture industry. A free, four-hour virtual training program helps participants start conversations around mental self-maintenance.
Ontario Government
https://www.ontario.ca/page/mental-health-resources-for-farmers
1-866-267-6255
The Government of Canada provides resources specific to farmers for mental health. Take advantage if their Farmer Wellness Initiative a free 24 hours a day, 365 days a year Mental Health Counselling
Prince Edward Island
Aquaculture Farm Assistance Program
The Aquaculture Farm Assistance Program offers PEI Aquaculture Farmers professional counselling services to help in problem resolution.
FarmersTalk.ca
1-800-218-2885
FarmersTalk Assistance Program offers resources and support for PEI farmers and their families experiencing mental health distress. You can read about the signs that someone is in mental distress, call their distress line for assistance.
Québec
At the heart of farming families
450 768-6995 / info@acfareseaux.qc.ca
Accompany, support, equip and guide --Our mission is to provide front-line psychosocial services that promote the improvement of the well-being of farm families throughout Quebec. Confidentiality, listening, availability and professionalism are the values that underpin ACFA's mission.
Au coeur des familles agricoles
Au coeur des familles agricoles offre un réseau de soutien psychosocial pour l'agriculture Québécoise producteurs.
- Ligne d’aide et services ACFA: 450-768-6995
- La Maison ACFA, située à Saint-Hyacinthe, offre aux producteurs et productrices agricoles la possibilité d’un répit et d’un soutien.
Travailleurs de rang accompagne les agriculteurs en les écoutant et en les accompagnant dans leur recherche de solutions.
Saskatchewan
SaskAgMatters
SaskAgMatters aims to bridge the gap between producers and mental wellness support. Contact a mental health provider from their list to access free counselling.
Saskatchewan Farm Stress Line
1-800-667-4442
Saskatchewan Farm Stress Line provides 24/7 support through phone and email about mental health, family conflict, domestic violence, parenting, seniors, relationships, addiction, bereavement, custody finances, sexuality and youth in crisis. They also have a Self-Assessment Quiz that you can take for stress level assessment.