Ontario farmers to get more mental health supports

Mark Reusser knows what it's like to feel anxious and stressed. The farmer from a rural community south of Cambridge, Ont. is never quite sure what his income will be or how quickly a good crop can become almost worthless.

"One of the interesting things about farmers and agriculture is that our income is determined by events beyond our control," said Reusser, who is alsovice-president ofthe Ontario Federation of Agriculture."If it's too hot, if it's too cold, if it's too dry or too wet, or the prices are too low, all of those things influence our income."

Reussersaidthe uncertainty of not having a steady paycheque can bring on a lot of anxiety, stress and sleepless nights.

"I certainly remember laying awake at night wondering, is it going to rain tonight? Am I going to make a good income from the hay that I cut? Or am I not going to make any income at all? You have to live with that and you have to live with it every day."

It's that potential stress that has prompted the federal and provincial governments to inject new funding into programs that target the well-being of farmers' mental health.

Two programs will addressthe unique demands in the agricultural sector, according to a statement from the Ontario government. Part ofthat support involves providing free counselling services for farm families as they deal with the disruption caused by COVID-19.

Outreach

The Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) will play a critical role in deliveringsupport for farmers. The organization will work with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA), the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) and other farm-related organizations to reach as many people as possible.

"We call them guardians," said Camille Quenneville, CEO of CMHA Ontario, referring to anyone working in agriculture who mightsuspecta farmer is indistress and then take action.

"We train them so that they're aware of any signs or suggestions that those farmers are not mentally healthy or might be struggling with their mental health."

The goal is then to rely on the services provided by one of 28 CMHA locations in Ontario.

Independent and isolated

Quenneville said the outreach needs to come from all sectors of the agricultural community, given many farmers are independent and away from many ofthe supports found in major centres. She is relieved this is multi-year funding to ensure there's time to get the word out to farmers and their families that help is available.

"So it's not going to happen overnight for us to be able to engage with this very independent population. It'sgoing to take us time to build those connections," Quenneville said. "Without multi-year funding, we would really struggle to be able to serve farmers in the way that we hope to."

Reusserisrelieved these efforts are moving forward and he has a message for any farmer who may be experiencing the sleepless nights or stressful challenges that are facing farmers.

"I would say to all farmers;there is no shame in admitting you have a problem. There is no shame in seeking help, and there is no shame in getting help."