The Manitoba Farm, Rural & Northern Support Services supports the recommendations laid out by Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton of the U of Guelph to this committee: namely, support for a Canadian network for farmer mental health, a federal funding stream for farmer mental health research, and evidence-based training programs for farmers and front-line workers.
We would add to this list the following recommendations: farmer assistance programs in every province that are modelled after employment assistance plans—and P.E.I. currently offers such a program—so that farmers can access in-person counselling by professionals with farming backgrounds; online and in-person peer support groups for farmers in each province; and a mental health app designed specifically for farmers.
Our main recommendation to the committee is for funding for 24-7 farm stress services—that would include phone, chat, and text—in each province across Canada, staffed by counsellors with farming backgrounds.
In summary, farmers want, need and deserve a range of mental health services that meet their unique mental health concerns. These services should be available to all farmers across Canada. They should be free, confidential and delivered by people who understand agriculture and the lived experience of the modern-day farm family. Among other programs, we desperately need a fully funded national farm stress service for Canadian farmers in crisis.
Thank you for the opportunity to speak to you today. We welcome any questions or comments by the committee.