Federal Agriculture and Agri-Food Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau announced $168,440 in funding for the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing during the inaugural National Symposium on Agricultural Mental Health in early March.
The mission of this new not-for-profit organization is to lead research and roll out initiatives in collaboration with community organizations across the country to address farmers’ wellness challenges.
The symposium was organized by the centre in concert with The Guardian Network. Bringing together mental health groups, researchers, decision-makers, agricultural associations and farmers, the conference addressed the challenges and opportunities of the mental health movement across the country.
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“Farmers have a very demanding job and deal with a lot of stress. Mental health issues are so often taboo in the sector, which is why initiatives like the ones created by the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing are so essential to open the dialogue and, ultimately, save lives.”
Bibeau said in a release.
“The Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing is very pleased to work in partnership with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to develop evidence-based programming and supports for the well-being of Canadian farmers,” said CCAW chief executive officer Dr. Briana Hagen.
