KENORA – The pandemic has affected all sectors of our lives. With a high rate of inflation leaving farmers struggling to maintain their chops and equipment, discussion of climate changes adds to the uncertainties of future success.
However, Ontario farmers are not alone.
Through the Farmer Wellness Initiative, the Canadian Mental Health Association has partnered with the Guardian Network, a volunteer suicide prevention network which supports Ontario’s farming community, to help farmers who are struggling with their mental health.
According to the Guardian Network, “68 per cent of farmers is more susceptible than the general population to chronic stress, which can lead to physical and mental health.”
The Guardian Network trains volunteers to identify the sign of mental distress and start conversations with farmers about connecting them to support systems like the CMHA and the Farmers Wellness Initiative.
Guardians are not mental health care workers either, the Guardian are vets, breeders, seed or feed salespeople, financial institutions, and other community members who work directly with farm owners or operators.
Learn more about the program and how you can register to become a Guardian at GuardianNetwork.ca.
