New Program to Provide Mental Health Supports to Farmers and Their Families

The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program (MFWP) is a new initiative aimed at providing mental health support for farmers and their families.

The program has been designed to provide one-on-one counselling sessions by professional counselors with a background in agriculture to farmers and their families.

“Farmers have a demanding lifestyle, and stigma remains a barrier for some to reach out for help,” said Gerry Friesen, MFWP Board member “The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program has been created to address the identified gap in availability of one on one counselling services for farmers, whatever stage of the journey they are at. There is no farm without the farmer.”

Farmers and their immediate family members can access six free, confidential (one hour) counselling sessions with a registered and skilled counsellor with a background in agriculture, funded by the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program. The services are available during the day, evenings or on weekends to accommodate farmers’ schedules, and can be in person, by telephone or video chat depending on the farmer’s preference. Appointments will be available beginning in March, 2022.

The program is in the final stages of development and is looking for support on behalf of farmers.

“Any group or individual who works with farmers and is interested in financially supporting the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program should contact us,” explains Roberta Galbraith MFWF Vice-Chair. “We are working collaboratively with the agriculture community in our province to bring this program to fruition for the health and wellness of the industry.”

If you are interested in booking an appointment with a counsellor, donating, applying to work with us as a counsellor, or learning more about the program, visit manitobafarmerwellness.ca.

The Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program is a non-profit organization established October 26th, 2021 and is led by a working board of directors.