The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers of Agriculture (FPT) met to discuss the year’s most pressing agricultural priorities.
November 11, 2021 This week, the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers of Agriculture (FPT) met in Guelph, Ontario, to discuss the year’s most pressing agricultural priorities. The agenda included a panel on mental health and the Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag) was invited as the national leader, champion and voice in mental health in Canadian agriculture.
Amy VanderHeide, a chicken farmer from Nova Scotia and director, spoke to producers’ crucial need for mental health support. “The invitation for mental health to be part of the agenda shows the importance the industry has in helping producers. Lots of the groundwork around awareness has been carried out. Do More Ag looks forward to the continued collaboration to help create more resources and support for the industry,” says Amy VanderHeide. Amy spoke on many critical issues producers face, the importance of continued action, and the effects this year, like adverse weather and stress, has had on producers.
Do More Ag began its work in 2018 with a simple call that we must do more to support our producers. Over the last four years, Do More Ag has created new programs and resources which has helped educate over 1000 producers in 60 communities and certified almost 500 individuals in Mental Health First Aid.
By collaborating with the entire industry and those working to address the state of mental health in agriculture, we continue to make a substantial and long-lasting impact. We’ve created strong relationships, awareness, and momentum that will assist with launching and delivering further programs like AgTalk, a 24/7, agriculture specific mental health support line for all Canadian producers and their families.
Do More Ag director and swine farmer from Ontario, Stewart Skinner, was encouraged that mental health had once again been part of the conversation at the FTP meeting while highlighting the pressing need for a national crisis line like Ag Talk. “Everyone working in Canadian agriculture is aware that we have an issue with poor mental resilience on the farm,” says Skinner. “Because of this problem, we are losing my friends and my colleagues, and AgTalk is the missing puzzle piece that farmers and their families need.”
With the announcement of mental health as one of the priorities in the Guelph Statement, Do More Ag looks forward to furthering action and collaboration among the industry to bridge the gaps in mental health support. In true producer style, our coffee pot is on, and our door is always open to discuss how to do more.
To producers across Canada, we ask you to continue to talk, ask, and listen. Producers' stories are why we have made the progress we have. We will continue to pave the way for better mental health support for the agriculture community through these continued conversations, actions and collaborations.
For more questions or inquiries on how to get involved, please reach out to us at hello@domore.ag.