The Canadian Centre for Agriculture Wellbeing is a national hub for research, program development, policy, extension, and engagement around mental health in Canadian farming.  The CCAW was launched on November 17, 2022.  More information to come.  Check back to the website or follow them on social media.

Wellness together Canada was started because of the distress experienced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  Wellness Together is funded by the Government of Canada and provides the tools and resources to support your well-being.

Resources are available in both English and French and include managing low mood, managing worry, coping with stress, strengthening relationships, and managing substance use.  You can also explore by service through learn, practice, connect, track, and talk.

There is a phone number available if you need immediate crisis support.  Alternatively, if you are in crisis, phone 911.

Download the Farming Mental Health in Canada Infographic that outlines the stressors farmers face and how they can affect the farmer, the farm, and the farming community, as well as learn what can be done to support them.  This infographic was developed in partnership with the Canadian Agriculture Safety Association (CASA).  Post in various obvious locations on the farm, share in pay stubs, and use as a safety meeting topic.

The Mental Health Commission of Canada (CMHA) is a national resource providing access to quality mental health care, e-mental health, mental health, and substance use resources, mental health first aid, mental health strategy for Canada, reducing stigma and discrimination, suicide prevention, and resources for workplace mental health.  Further, each province, including New Brunswick has a local Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHANB). 

CMHA NB is a community agency offering systemic advocacy, education, support, and awareness of mental health and mental illness.  Visit the website or call 1-506-455-5231 to explore the programs and services offered throughout the province to support mental health and wellness.  The information provided on the national and provincial websites are in both English and French.

Continuum Self Check

The mental health continuum self-check helps to keep track as to whether you are healthy, reacting, injured, or ill.  Keeping track of where you are on any given day, week, or month will help you understand the support and resources that may be needed.  The continuum looks at changes in mood, thinking and attitude, behaviour and performance, physical changes as well as addictive behaviours. 

Save the link to continuum self-check or print a copy and post it in the barn, shed, or on your fridge.  Check back on a regular basis to keep an eye on your mental health and wellness.  The corresponding categories of farm (healthy), talk (reacting), care (injured or ill) can help direct you to the resources needed based on your continuum self-check.

An online resource designed to support mental wellness to include online programs, information, and resources for youth and adults. 

Select your province to start navigating.  You can choose a pathway to adult resources or a pathway to youth resources.  The adult pathway is broken down into a service directory, knowledge centre, and get inspired as well as there is a mood meter.  The youth pathway is broken down into a service directory, info booth, and your space with a mood meter. 

Podcast: The First Sixteen podcast from Ag & Agri-Food Canada  Episode 010 – Mental health on the farm

Dr Brian Hagen talks about mental health programs designed specifically for farmers such as In the Know mental health literacy training.  After listening to this short podcast, visit the workshop & training page to learn how to access mental health literacy training programs that may interest you.   English & French

Podcast: Episode 76: We Need to Do More Ag from The Impact Farming Show

A captivating interview where Kim Keller, co-founder of the Do More Ag Foundation, shares the backstory leading up to the tweet that changed it all for mental health in agriculture.  English Only

Brene Brown believes “you have to walk through vulnerability to get to courage, therefore…embrace the suck. I try to be grateful every day, and my motto right now is “Courage over comfort.”  She is a researcher, storyteller, and Texan who studies courage, vulnerability, shame, and empathy.  Her YouTube video called Brene Brown on Empathy is a great tool to learn how to start a conversation on mental health.

There are many apps available for phones and tablets to explore mental health and wellness.  There are apps for meditation, sleep, journaling, relaxation, tracking your moods, and activity. Apps allow the resources to be at your fingertips and typically the information remains current.  Below are a few apps that may pique your interest. 

DISCLAIMER:  The listed apps are only samples to explore, feel free to visit your app, android and/or google play store to search other available apps that may be more suited to your needs.   Some features within the app may be free and some features may require a purchase or subscription.

App: Avail – provides a confidential system for producers to record and analyze their mental health. It also provides access to online resources and helps them to find and access to care providers in the communities.   English & French

App: Headspace – a meditation app. English & French

App: Daylio Journal – self-care journal, mood, and activity tracker app. English & French

App: Calm – an app for meditation and sleep. English & French

App: MoodTools – is an app designed to help you combat depression and alleviate your negative moods, aiding you on your road to recovery. English Only

App: TaoMix 2 (Apple and Google)- a relaxation, sleep sound and mediation app.  English & French

The following books are from reputable authors and organizations who have spent a great portion of their careers exploring mental health and wellness and providing engaging resources to learn more.

DISCLAIMER: The listed books are only samples to explore, feel free to visit your local or online bookstore to search for other books and authors that may be more suited to your lived experience.  Books/audio books may require a purchase.

Farm Credit Canada

Rooted In Strength –   English Only

A resource giving an overview of mental health and wellness information specifically to Canadian farmers based on what they heard from you.

Rooted in Resilience –  English  and French

The second instalment of the mental health series, to include supporting mental health, being at your very best, and supporting family, friends, and community to be at their very best.

The Cure for Loneliness by Dr Bill Howatt  English Only.

In this powerful guide and workbook, renowned mental health expert and addictions counselor Dr Bill Howatt drills into the root causes of isolation and loneliness including the double-edged sword of digital technology and shows you how to conquer them to achieve a more fulfilling, enriching life.  This book is full of easy-to-use quizzes, check ins, and exploratory questions to evaluate you own sense of isolation and loneliness and how to move forward.  The last chapter of the book explores the employer’s key role in facilitating social connections.

“Loneliness and the feeling of being unwanted is the most terrible poverty.”  Mother Teresa

Dare to Lead by Brene Brown

Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.

When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. We don’t see power as finite and hoard it; we know that power becomes infinite when we share it with others. We don’t avoid difficult conversations and situations; we lean into vulnerability when it’s necessary to do good work. But daring leadership in a culture defined by scarcity, fear, and uncertainty requires skill-building around traits that are deeply and uniquely human. The irony is that we’re choosing not to invest in developing the hearts and minds of leaders at the exact same time as we’re scrambling to figure out what we have to offer that machines and AI can’t do better and faster. What can we do better? Empathy, connection, and courage, to start.  English Only.

The power of Vulnerability by Brene Brown

Teachings of Authenticity, Connection, and Courage

This collection of teachings on authenticity, connection, and courage helps dispel the myth that vulnerability is weakness and reveals that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage. It offers both an invitation and a promise: When we dare to drop the armor that protects us from feeling vulnerable, we open ourselves to the experiences that bring purpose and meaning to our lives.  English Only

Brene Brown has an assortment of books and podcasts available to dive a little bit deeper into courage, leadership, connection, trust, and work culture.  Visit Brene Brown‘s website to discover more audio and print books relating to courage, leadership, connection, trust, and work culture.

The Little Book of Minding Your Head – yellowwellies.org – PDF version

The Farm Safety Foundation is a UK based organization focusing on farm safety.  Included in this resource is The Little Book of Minding Your Head.  The book gives an overview of what mental health and mental illness mean, triggers and signs of mental ill health, stress and why it matters, coping with stress, fill your boot, depression and starting a conversation.  This booklet is specific to the agriculture industry, visually appealing, and a wealth of information.

Resources included in this book are specific to the UK, use the resources on the care page available to reach out for help.  English Only

Psychological health and safety (PHS) is how employers and workers interact with each other in the workplace.  Just like physical health, mental health is a significant consideration in identifying health and safety hazards on the farm.  This standard is a voluntary standard and outlines how to implement a systematic management system to develop and sustain a psychologically healthy and safe workplace.

The Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace Standard (CAN/CSA-Z1003-13/BNQ 9700-803/2013) guides farmers through commitment, leadership, and participation using a planning process to identify, assess and control psychological health and safety hazards on the farm.  It outlines how to manage and implement changes through education, awareness, and communication as well as a process for reporting incidents and conducting investigations.  There is a system of monitoring the program and measuring whether it is effective.

This standard is valuable to those who are ready to implement such a system on farm or use as point of reference to evaluate what is currently happening on farm.  English & French