Prince Edward Island has officially proclaimed May 5 as Mental Health in Agriculture Day, coinciding with Canada’s Mental Health Week and the local planting season when farmers face heightened stress.
The initiative, announced by the provincial government, aims to highlight mental health challenges specific to the agricultural sector while promoting available resources including the Farmers Counselling Program, which provides free professional services to the farming community.
“Since becoming Minister responsible for Agriculture in 2019, promoting the mental health of our farmers and eliminating the stigma that has existed in our industry for so long has been one of my top priorities,” said Deputy Premier and Agriculture Minister Bloyce Thompson.
Thompson noted that May brings particular challenges to the farming community. “The physical, emotional and monetary costs of starting another planting season can get the best of us all,” he said.
The PEI Department of Agriculture established FarmersTalk.ca in 2019 in collaboration with the PEI Federation of Agriculture to centralize mental health resources for the industry.
“Just as it’s essential to take care of your farm, it’s equally important that we take care of our mental health,” said Keisha Rose Topic, president of the PEI Federation of Agriculture.
The government and Federation plan to promote the day through social media and direct outreach to farmers, sharing information about available resources.
Beyond existing supports, the Department of Agriculture has launched a confidential survey to better understand mental health concerns within the farming community. Available in English, French and Spanish, the survey aims to improve support services for farmers, farm employees and seasonal workers across the island.
