The Do More Agriculture Foundation (Do More Ag) and Farm Credit Canada (FCC) have launched year two of a program that aims to promote mental health awareness and create support systems in rural communities. The mental health training program is offered at no-cost and is open to all rural agriculture communities across Canada.

Participants in the program will be trained to identify signs of mental health concerns and to provide initial support to producers coping with difficult or unfortunate circumstances.

“The training is aimed at raising mental health awareness and equipping participants with basic skills to provide assistance when help is not immediately available,” says Adelle Stewart, executive director of Do More Ag.

To ensure the success of the program, “community leaders” are encouraged to apply on behalf of their community. Working directly with Do More Ag to bring the training to their areas, they will act as lead in organizing and promoting their local workshops.

“Community Leaders who apply to bring in and help organize the trainings are truly the cornerstone of the program,” said Stewart.

The program is made possible by the Community Fund for Mental Health First Aid, funded by FCC. Interested individuals can apply online on behalf of their community at Do More Ag: How to Do More. Applications are being accepted until October 10, 2019.

CAAR is pleased to welcome Do More Ag’s executive director, Adelle Stewart, to the 2020 CAAR Conference in Saskatoon, SK. Don’t miss Stewart’s presentation “Talk, Ask, Listen – Doing More for Mental Health in Ag” on Wednesday, Feb. 12 at 1:45 p.m.

Watch for the full conference agenda in the October Communicator.