To ensure Ontario remains a top destination for incoming migrant farm workers, it’s essential to provide access to crucial services such as healthcare. Upon their arrival, seasonal agricultural and temporary foreign workers are granted the same OHIP coverage as permanent residents. While maintaining physical health is vital, it’s equally important to ensure seasonal and temporary farm workers have access to mental health support while they are in Ontario should they need it.
The Farmer Wellness Initiative, launched in 2022, plays a key role in this effort. This program offers free mental health services tailored to farm workers, focusing on mental well-being, support, and education specifically designed by and for Ontario’s agricultural community. Managed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and supported by partners such as the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness (OMAFA), the initiative addresses mental health needs.
As part of this project, there was a recent announcement regarding specific funding set aside to meet the needs of migrant farm workers while in Ontario. The funding, provided by the governments of Canada and Ontario, supports a range of services, including mental health awareness campaigns, training for health care providers on agricultural worker mental health, and direct support services for workers including a 24/7 phone line to connect them with direct mental health counseling. All counseling is completely confidential and free of charge.
“Agricultural workers play a vital role in growing our local fruits and vegetables in Ontario. We were particularly happy to see that the expansion of Ontario’s Farmer Wellness Initiative includes international agricultural workers, which showcases Ontario’s commitment to ensuring they have access to the same services and protections as Ontarians doing the same job,” mentioned Bill George, grape grower and chair of the labour committee at the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers’ Association.
Additionally, Spanish-speaking workers will have access to services in their native language, addressing the needs of the significant number of farm workers in Ontario who speak Spanish.
Being away from your friends and families for long periods of time, partnered with the cultural differences of living in a different country, presents a unique challenge for migrant farm workers. It’s crucial for them to prioritize both their physical and mental health, and just as important to make sure they have access to support when they need it.
Check out one of our recent blogs on other support systems for workers while they are working in Ontario.
Investing in mental health support not only benefits the workers themselves but also makes the entire farm operation run smoother. By prioritizing mental health, we can create a strong and resilient workforce, leading to a better experience for everyone.
For more information about the Farmer Wellness Initiative, please visit https://farmerwellnessinitiative.ca/. If you’re in need of support, call 1-866-267-6255 anytime.