(File photo/ farmnewsNOW Staff)

By Nigel Maxwell

Mental health program green lighted for 2020

Aug 9, 2019 | 10:03 AM

A pilot project designed to help producers and relieve stress on the farm will soon be available in more Saskatchewan communities.

The Do More Agriculture Foundation (DMA) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) have announced they are extending and expanding their partnership. Under the pilot project, FCC provided $50,000 in funding in 2019 to facilitate mental health first aid training for producers and agriculture industry in 12 selected communities across Canada. In 2020, FCC will double their investment to $100,000 Adelle Stewart, Executive Director of DMA told farmnewsNOW she was very happy with the initial response.

“Some of the stories and testimonials that we have and continue to receive out of those communities, as well as feedback from the participants at each event was just outstanding and really humbling,” she said.

As a result of the pilot project, 236 rural residents are now certified mental health first aid responders and leaders. Stewart said the reach is really into the thousands when you consider how many people each person might know. She explained communities that apply for funding will have a choice to offer a two day training session or a four hour workshop.

“If the time constraints are tight, they’re able to choose that one as well and the more communities that choose that, even the more places we will be able to go across Canada,” she said.

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The two-day training program, developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada, is aimed at developing community leaders, who are trained to identify mental health concerns and provide initial supports to producers coping with difficult or unfortunate circumstances. The program is offered at no cost to participants.

“Mental health issues impact every segment of our society and those who work in Canada’s thriving agriculture and food industry are not immune,” Michael Hoffort, FCC president and CEO said in an emailed statement. “As a committed partner to this industry, we recognize the need for increased mental health support in agriculture, where people – often located in rural Canada – can sometimes feel isolated and don’t always know who to turn to for help.”

Applications for training program funding will open later this fall and training sessions will occur throughout early 2020. Interested communities will can apply online at DMA’s website. www.domore.ag

nigel.maxwell@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell