The application deadline for the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Producer Mental Wellbeing Initiative has been extended to June 17.
The department says it is seeking collaborative solutions that employ novel strategies to promote mental well-being and/or address stressors contributing to mental health challenges among producers in Canada.
It is looking to support solutions that:
- Are innovative with a strong potential for meaningful impact – rethinking existing solutions and processes to better help producers.
- Foster producer community engagement – designing and adapting a solution based on the voices and needs of Canadian producers in a way that is inclusive and represents their diversity.
- Focus on prevention and early intervention by considering social, economic and environmental factors that contribute to mental health and well-being.
The multiple interacting stressors and unique challenges faced by Canadian producers have a big impact on their well-being. Solutions must adhere to at least one of the following principles:
- Raising awareness and communication — develop innovative campaigns that promote awareness or educational programs about mental health through tools that focus on prevention and the early identification of mental health challenges, as well as those that promote coping mechanisms.
- Reduce stigma — Develop solutions that normalize conversations about mental health, reduce stigma and encourage farmers to seek help.
- Improve access to tailored mental health support — create solutions that provide personalized mental health support to farmers and/or their families, addressing barriers including access, location and timing.
- Community resilience and mental health promotion — develop solutions that focus on creating and maintaining supportive farming community environments and addressing social determinants of mental health, especially for those facing systemic challenges, such as racism, socioeconomic barriers and isolation.
- Provide long-term support — design and deliver mental health solutions that integrate wellness, farming practices and other aspects of farm management, such as succession planning and family support, to enable better support for producers, from generation to generation.
The Producer Mental Well Being Initiative is open to for-profit and not-for-profit organizations and individuals registered to do business in Canada.
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Up to 10 finalists will be selected to receive up to $100,000 each and support to develop a proof of concept/pilot of their solution. Finalists will be announced in the fall of 2026.
Projects will be evaluated based on impact, user feedback and their potential for wider application.
Up to two finalists with the most impressive results will each receive up to $500,000 and become grand prize winners. Those will be announced in the spring of 2028.
For more information or to apply, visit the Producer Mental Wellbeing Initiative page.
