As of April 1, SaskAgMatters Mental Health Network Inc. will manage the Farm Stress Line as part of a coordinated mental health support system for Saskatchewan producers, their family members and their employees. The new partnership offers 24/7 confidential access to crisis line counsellors trained in agriculture, as well as follow-up counselling sessions with Saskatchewan-based registered mental health professionals with backgrounds in agriculture.
The Government of Saskatchewan and Government of Canada are providing $200,000 per year for the next two years for the Farm Stress Line and counselling services through the Sustainable Canadian Agriculture Partnership (Sustainable CAP).
The Farm Stress Line toll-free number - 1-800-667-4442 - will stay the same. Producers can call about anything affecting their wellbeing, including financial stress, family pressures, anxiety, depression, burnout or concern for someone else.
SaskAgMatters is a Saskatchewan-based organization of producers and mental health professionals. The organization is enhancing its local counselling services through a partnership with the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing to provide crisis support services from counsellors with agricultural training through the National Farmer Crisis Line.
Sustainable CAP is a five-year (2023-2028), $3.5 billion investment by federal, provincial and territorial governments to strengthen the competitiveness, innovation, and resiliency of Canada's agriculture, agri-food, and agri-based products sector. This includes $1 billion in federal programs and activities, and a $2.5 billion commitment that is cost-shared 60% federally and 40% provincially for programs that are designed and delivered by provinces and territories.
