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Two levels of government are teaming up to expand mental health supports for Ontario’s agricultural workers.
The governments of Canada and Ontario are investing up to $538,000 to expand the Farmer Wellness Initiative to Ontario farm workers.
The initiative 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.
Services offered through the 24/7 phone line include crisis counselling, risk assessments, and face-to-face, phone or video sessions with a counsellor.
“The expansion of services recognizes that the entire agricultural community experiences unique stressors that require tailored solutions,” advised MPP Rob Flack, Ontario Minister of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness.
“By increasing access to mental health services for everyone involved in the business of farming, we are supporting those who work hard to grow our sector and provide food for people across Ontario and throughout the world” he added.
Written by: Ian McCallum