LEARN MOREThe Farmer Wellness Initiative provides Ontario farmers, farm families, farm employees, and spouses and dependents of farm employees with free, unlimited mental health counselling, specific to the unique challenges that can be experienced by the agricultural community.
If you’re in need of support, call us anytime.
Intake is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, every day of the year.
How it works
INTAKE
When you call the line, you’ll go through a brief intake process. You’ll be asked your name, where you live and why you’re calling. (Note: if you’re in crisis, you’ll be directed to immediate support.)
CONNECTION
Within a week, you’ll be connected with a counsellor that you can see on an ongoing basis by phone, video, or in person (based on availability). The mental health professionals who provide counselling are ag-informed to best serve the community.
SUPPORT
Engage in counselling for as long as you need. Sessions are free and unlimited. Finding the right counsellor is important. If you’d like to be matched with someone new, you can call the line back and be matched with someone who may be a better fit – no questions asked.
How it works
INTAKE
When you call the line, you’ll go through a brief intake process. You’ll be asked your name, where you live and why you’re calling. (Note: if you’re in crisis, you’ll be directed to immediate support.)
CONNECTION
Within a week, you’ll be connected with a counsellor that you can see on an ongoing basis by phone, video, or in person (based on availability). The mental health professionals who provide counselling are ag-informed to best serve the community.
SUPPORT
Engage in counselling for as long as you need. Sessions are free and unlimited. Finding the right counsellor is important. If you’d like to be matched with someone new, you can call the line back and be matched with someone who may be a better fit – no questions asked.
What you need to know
ELIGIBILITY Ontario-based farmers, farm families (relatives of farmers - living on or off farm), farm employees (staff who are employed on farms), and spouses and dependents of all farm employees. Note: callers must be 16 years or older. Youth between the ages of 12-15 may utilize the service with parental consent.
PRIVACY All information received through counselling sessions is confidential and in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (2004).
COST Free! There is no cost for this service, and the number of sessions is unlimited.
ACCESSIBILITY Operated by TELUS Health, you can call 1-866-267-6255, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. Available in English, French and Spanish.
What do you talk about in counselling?
Mental health counselling doesn’t just have to occur when we’re in crisis or distress. Proactively talking to a professional can help you manage stress, interpersonal relationships, and wellness. Here are some topics that might be useful to talk about:
- Developing coping strategies and managing mental health
- Family or relationships
- Financial pressure
- Succession or transition planning
- Stress on the farm
- Anxiety or depression
- Managing your workload
- Substance use
- Loneliness or isolation
- How to support loved ones
- Processing traumatic events