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The Farmer Wellness Initiative
telehealth line now offers free mental wellness support to all Ontario farmers and farm families. It provides free counselling and tailored mental health resources. Farmers and their families can access counselling in English and French at 1-866-267-6255.
Bruce Buttar, Zone 12 Director of OFA and Chair of the Farmer Wellness Initiative Advisory Committee, shared insights on the program. The initiative connects farmers with trained professionals who understand agriculture’s unique challenges. Support is available 24/7, 365 days a year. Find additional resources on the Farmer Wellness Initiative website or listen to our podcast episode.
The Farmer Wellness Initiative is a collaboration between the CMHA Ontario Division and the Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA). Counselling is provided by Telus Health. Funding comes from the governments of Canada and Ontario through the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year initiative.
To learn more about the Farmer Wellness Initiative including how to utilize their services visit their website.
Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario
CMHA Ontario is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing mental health resources and education through 28 branches. Their mission is to build a society that values mental health and improves lives across Ontario. Trillium has donated $50,000 through our ROOTS Community Fund to CMHA Ontario. This supports the expansion of the “In the Know” program, developed by the Ontario Veterinary College. The program improves mental health literacy in agriculture. Our donation increases access to the program across Ontario. In partnership with the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, this ensures greater outreach to rural communities.
“In the Know” is a mental health literacy training course for farmers and those working with them. It helps participants recognize mental health struggles, start conversations, and provide support. The course covers stress, depression, anxiety, substance misuse, and mental well-being discussions. CMHA Ontario is working with the OFA, Ontario’s largest general farm organization, to maximize outreach and support the agricultural community.
To learn more about the CMHA and their many program offerings or find a branch nearest to you visit their website.
4-H Ontario
For over 100 years, 4-H Ontario has focused on building leaders and equipping youth with the leadership and life skills they need to excel personally, in their education and career paths. Trillium Mutual Insurance is proud to announce a $50,000 donation to support 4-H Ontario’s: Taking Our Mental Health to Heart Program. This program will equip youth with the skills and knowledge to adapt to mental health challenges through hands-on learning. This donation provides 4-H Ontario the ability to develop and implement a long-term wellness program that will improve the mental health of over 6,000 youth across the province.
Youth can learn more about registering for 4-H Ontario by visiting their website.
Wes for Youth
WES for Youth provides free online counselling for youth ages 13-24 across Ontario. They use digital solutions to offer support in a way that feels comfortable. Many youth hesitate to seek help through traditional face-to-face counselling. Their confidential online platform makes it easier to connect with a counsellor. Through the Farm Mutual Re. Mutual Support Initiative, Trillium Mutual has donated $5,000 to support WES for Youth in providing these critical services.
Since COVID-19 began, the number of youth accessing WES for Youth has tripled to over 290. Access to mental health resources is crucial during this time. Trillium Mutual is committed to helping provide support for those most in need. Youth can connect with qualified professional counsellors to discuss personal challenges in a safe environment. No doctor’s referral is required. Because counselling is offered online, youth can access services anytime, from anywhere.
For more information on WES for Youth Online, including how to access their services, please visit their website.
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health
Gateway Centre of Excellence in Rural Health is a not-for-profit located in Goderich, Ontario that aims to improve the health and quality of life of rural residents. Their volunteers aim to advance rural health technology and community based research. This combination of research and community programs contributes to educating rural residents on topics related to health & wellness.
Trillium Mutual, through the Farm Mutual Re. Mutual Support Initiative, has donated $10,000 to Gateway Rural Health to expand their “Farmers Mental Health & Resiliency Project”. The “Farmers Mental Health & Resiliency Project” will empower the farming community, by increasing the awareness of available health services, providing support to curb the stigma attached to mental health and resiliency training. This project’s main objective is to strengthen and educate the farming community and will directly impact Huron-Perth & Grey-Bruce counties and their over 12,500 farmers. The project will mainly focus on “Shed Talks” which will bring various farm related speakers and topics to the community, along with health coaching to develop a network of agricultural leaders focused on healthy living. The program will engage and empower the agricultural community to begin asking questions surrounding their mental health and the role it plays in influencing their day to day actions.
Please visit their website to learn more about Gateway Rural Health and their incredible programs.
Family Counselling and Support Services
Family Counselling and Support Services (FCSSGW) provides a range of individual and group services throughout the Guelph-Wellington community. They are a premier provider of exceptional, affordable and discrete services within the community. Since its inception in 1964, Family Counselling and Support Services has been focused on supporting a growing number of families and individuals. FCSSGW operates a Distress Line, along with four mental health walk-in clinics, located in Fergus, Mount Forest and Harriston, where residents can receive support, while remaininganonymous.
Since COVID-19 began, calls to their distress line have surged. Outdated technology limited FCSSGW’s ability to support more people. Trillium Mutual’s ROOTS Community Fund donated $5,000 to enhance their rural programs and expand access to the Distress Line.
To learn more about their support services and programs visit their website.
Children’s Health Foundation
Children’s Health Foundation, founded in 1922, raises funds to ensure that children and their families across Western Ontario receive the best possible care and the most possible hope when faced with a life-threatening or life-limiting diagnosis. First Episode Mood and Anxiety Program (FEMAP), is a unique community-based mental health service for youth(aged 16-25) across Southwestern Ontario.
Established in 2006, FEMAP has helped thousands of older teens and young adults with emotional concerns that fall into the categories of mood and/or anxiety symptoms. No physician referral is needed, and a full range of services are offered in a friendly and easily accessible facility. FEMAP offers a safe and confidential place for youth to get help early, before symptoms begin to disrupt their lives. Trillium Mutual Insurance has donated $10,000, through their ROOTS Community Fund, to help FEMAP add to their staff and expand the program into a second location.
To learn more about FEMAP visit their website here.
