By Alice McFarlane

TELUS Health providing mental health services to producers

Jan 20, 2023 | 2:22 PM

MELFORT, Sask. – TELUS Health will be the exclusive provider of mental health services for the Canadian Centre for Agricultural Wellbeing (CCAW).

CCAW is a new not-for-profit organization that launched on Nov. 7. It supports farmers and their families with a research-to-action approach to mental health.

From floods to pandemics and supply chain disruptions, farmers face many uncontrollable and unforeseen events that can impact their mental health. These types of events often result in higher-than-average rates of stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues among farmers.

According to the 2019 Report of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food, 45 per cent of farmers reported high-stress levels, and 45 per cent indicated they would not reach out for help if they were in need, due to the stigma around mental health.

TELUS Health will be the exclusive clinical and technology provider for Canadian farmers who are facing catastrophic events, as well as for farmers who don’t have access to provincial and federal programming.

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CCAW CEO and Lead Scientist Dr. Briana Hagen said collaborating with TELUS Health will mean services will get to people when they need them most.

“It means that we have the infrastructure to provide clinical support and much-needed technology for education and community programs to support the wellbeing of farmers and the agricultural community across Canada,” Hagen said.

Hagen is part of the CCAW’s all-women leadership team working with TELUS Health, and TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods, to connect all Canadian farmers and the greater agriculture community to farmer-centered mental health resources, support, and information, primarily with a grassroots approach.

TELUS Health Chief Operating Officer Michael Dingle said the company jumped at the opportunity to work with the CCAW to help develop a support program and services for farmers.

“Not only when a major crisis or natural disaster hits but whenever they need access to counselling and care. TELUS Health’s expertise in health, agriculture, and digital infrastructure allow us to provide far-reaching support to the hard-working Canadian farmers and families who work to put food on our tables every day,” Dingle said.

For more information visit ccaw.ca.

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alice.mcfarlane@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @farmnewsNOW