Monday, July 22, 2024

Mental health supports expanded

The federal and Ontario governments are investing up to $538,000 to expand the Farmer Wellness Initiative to include Ontario farm workers. 


Nearly $178,000 of that will be for the delivery of services in Spanish.

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, delivers the Farmer Wellness Initiative.


It provides farmers, farm workers and their family members with unlimited access to a free, 24/7 phone line that connects them to tailored mental health counselling. 


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.


The 24/7 phone line offers crisis counselling, risk assessments

and face-to-face phone or video sessions with a counsellor.


“The expansion of services to farm workers and their families reflects the reality that the entire agricultural community experiences unique stressors that require tailored solutions,” said Ontario Agriculture Minister Rob Flack.