STRATFORD – Perth-Wellington MPP Randy Pettapiece hosted a Jan 16 roundtable here on mental health issues in the agricultural community.
Pettapiece, who is parliamentary assistant for Minister of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Ernie Hardeman, hosted the event on the minister’s behalf.
“Our government cares about the well-being of our farmers and farm families,” said Pettapiece.
“In farming, you work by yourself a lot. Working by yourself, things can build up. We want them to know they’re not alone and it’s okay to reach out for help.”
The province has launched a public awareness campaign to highlight available resources to support farmer’s mental health and encourage them to seek help when they need it.
As part of the campaign, Hardeman also held a roundtable with members of the agricultural community and had a discussion on mental health issues in the sector on Jan. 7 in Guelph.
“Farming can be a tough business, one that sometimes takes a toll on farmers and their families and yet we all know people who have been reluctant to ask for help,” said Hardeman.
“We want to address the stigma that still surrounds mental health, and help people find the resources that can make a difference.”
Help available
Several stress mitigation resources are available, including Ontario’s province-wide Mental Health Helpline (1-866-531-2600), Crisis Line (211) and Distress Centres.
OMAFRA also supports a number of programs to help farmers, including research to evaluate mental health needs for farmers, and farm business risk management programs to cover loss and damage.
“My father-in-law went through his own struggles years ago. Fortunately he survived, but we have known people in our community that did not, and they just needed help,” said Pettapiece.
A press release states the measures are part of the government’s commitment to spend $3.8 billion over the next 10 years to develop and implement a mental health and addictions strategy.
