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GOC supports Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing

While participating at the inaugural National Symposium on Agricultural Mental Health on March 8, Marie-Claude Bibeau, minister of agriculture and agri-food, announced the federal government’s financial support to the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing (CCAW).

This investment of up to $168,440 will help the CCAW spread awareness of and multiply the resources available for the agricultural community. 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.

“Farmers have a very demanding job and deal with a lot of stress,” Bibeau said. “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.”

This funding contributed to, among other things, the creation of this inaugural National Symposium on Agricultural Mental Health, a conference organized by CCAW, in concert with The Guardian Network. Bringing together mental health groups, researchers, decision makers, agricultural associations and farmers, this conference addresses the challenges and opportunities of the mental health movement across the country.