Governments invest $450,000 in mental health and wellness in the Manitoba agriculture sector

The Canada and Manitoba governments through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP) are investing $450,000 over 3 years towards the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP)

The purpose of the grant is to provide access to professional counselling services to Manitoba’s agricultural community, federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Lawrence MacAulay, Premier Wab Kinew and Manitoba Agriculture Minister Ron Kostyshyn announced today.

The ministers noted that this program is different from other mental health services available, as it is rooted in agriculture and the counsellors are familiar with the unique stressors of managing an agri-business, such as seasonality of operations, impact of extreme climate events, global and market fluctuations and the dynamics of rural living.

“Farmers face unique stressors and challenges, but they don’t complain, and they always get the job done,” stated Lawrence MacAulay, Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food. “If they’re struggling with their mental health, we need to be there for them. Through this shared investment under Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership, farmers across Manitoba will have better access to the tools and supports they need to continue producing the high-quality products we depend on.”

 

 “Extreme weather conditions, market fluctuations and disease outbreaks often isolate and challenge the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and their families”

 

The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program, a non-profit organization launched in 2022, addresses the mental health of farmers, farm families and farm workers through access beyond crisis intervention to longer-term counselling support that help prevent mental health crisis.

“The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program is a pivotal resource for farmers, their families and their workers,” added Ron Kostyshyn, Manitoba Minister of Agriculture. “Extreme weather conditions, market fluctuations and disease outbreaks often isolate and challenge the mental health and wellbeing of farmers and their families. These funds will support the expansion of professional counselling services to increase access to mental health support.”

The funding will support MFWP to ensure a consistent and professional service delivery and a standardized onboarding for new counsellors. MFWP works with over 32 industry partners to promote mental wellness and coping strategies and resilience. 

The Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership is a 5-year, $3.5-billion investment by Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that supports Canada’s agri-food and agri-products sectors. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially-territorially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.