A counselling service for Manitoba farmers, launched last year, will continue to support producers and their families.
On March 15, the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program announced that its first year was a success and it has the financial resources to maintain the service.
“We saw a need and with overwhelming support from the industry, we are excited to announce we are continuing this service in Manitoba,” said Marcel Hacault, chair of the Manitoba Farmer Wellness Program.
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“We are thankful for the growing community of sponsors and supporters that see value in the program, and we are in a great position for the future.”
As noted on its website, the service is available to Manitoba farmers and immediate family members who are at least 16 years old.
“Farmers have a demanding lifestyle, and stigma remains a barrier for some to reach out for help,” MFWP board member Gerry Friesen said last year.
“(It) has been created to address the identified gap in availability of one-on-one counselling services for farmers.”
The program offers free counselling from professionals with backgrounds in agriculture. The counselling is short term — participants are eligible for six, one-hour sessions.
“What we learned in our first year is that the program works, is valued by those who use it and it should be continued,” said Roberta Galbraith, a farmer in Minnedosa, Man., and vice-chair of the wellness program.
“This year we would like to raise funds to support 160 Manitoba farm families, and our focus will be on increasing awareness about the program with industry, farmers and health-care professionals.”
For more information on the MFWP, visit manitobafarmerwellness.ca/.
