Agriculture Wellness Ontario (AgWO) is a suite of three free programs that focus on mental health and well-being, support and education for Ontario’s agriculture community. AgWO is managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario Division, in partnership with other stakeholders in the agricultural community.
Due to accessibility issues and stigma around mental health, farmers frequently have difficulty getting the mental health support they need. AgWO’s site is designed to make it easier for them.
AgWO programs currently include the Farmer Wellness Initiative, a free individual counselling service; The Guardian Network, a volunteer suicide-prevention network; and In the Know, a mental health literacy workshop tailored to the agriculture community. The site also features additional resources.
With support from the Governments of Canada and Ontario through the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, and other mental health and agriculture sector experts (including the University of Guelph), these barrier-free mental health programs are tailored to support the people behind Ontario’s powerhouse agriculture sector.
To learn more visit AgricultureWellnessOntario.ca.