Canadian farmers can now access mental health supports by calling a new crisis line

Canadian farmers coast-to-coast now have a way to reach out to the mental health supports they need while in crisis. Karsen Marczuk reports.

The Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing has launched a new crisis line for farmers across the country.

The National Farmer Wellness Network crisis line is designed to address the unique mental health challenges faced by Canadian farmers, farm families and agricultural workers.

Canadians can access confidential mental health support by calling 1-866-FARMS01 (1-866-327-6701).

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“A key feature of this crisis line is making sure the folks answering the phone on the other end have a really good base knowledge around Canadian ag,” said Briana Hagen, Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing CEO.

The crisis line is possible thanks to an investment of $1.5 million over three years from Farm Credit Canada.

“Ninety-six per cent of the farmers that responded to our survey said that a farm-informed counselor that understands farming in the prairies was really important,” said Linda Hunt, director of AgKnow, a mental health network in Alberta.

“To see the crisis line launched, it’s just an incredible resource for farmers not only here in Alberta but across the country.”

The crisis line is bridging the gap to connect those in need with the supports best suited for them.

“Farming is always talked about as a lifestyle, not just a job,” said Hagen.

“You farm with your family a lot of that time, and that can have its own challenges, and then when it comes to succession planning or looking at plans for the farm and looking dealing with family dynamics, business dynamics, big amounts of money to be able to upgrade or change your farm, those are things that can really effect someone’s mental health.”

Research behind the crisis line shows that generational farming concerns, different livestock diseases and uncertainty in the ag industry are leading causes of suicide among farmers.

“In our small communities, one suicide affects not just one little family, but the whole community,” explained Hunt.

“When you live in communities where everybody plays and everybody participates, it’s those multi-generational farmers have that sense of belonging and ownership of the community, so they invest in a different way then somebody who comes in and goes out.”

Hunt says work is also underway to ensure farm-based counselors are in more rural communities across the province, to provide the supports needed closer to home.

“We know some places it’s up to five or six hours to get into a location for counseling, so we want to give them lots more choice and help them find the services that align with their needs,” hunt said.

Addressing farmer and animal well-being

Another stressor for those in the industry is the wellbeing of their livestock.

That’s why the Agricultural Well-being in Alberta program exists.

It’s part of the Alberta Centre for Sustainable Rural Communities at the University of Alberta.

The SPCA says that when officers respond to calls of animals in distress, they sometimes find the owner is experiencing mental health challenges.

“Through this partnership, we hope to strengthen rural communities by not only helping animals, but by ensuring farmers also get the care they need,” said Melissa Logan, Alberta SPCA spokesperson.