Free mental health support is now available to farmers
A telehealth line to provide mental wellness support to all Ontario farmers and farm families is now live.
Accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year, in English and French, farmers needing immediate support can call 1-866-267-6255 to speak to a counsellor.
Through the Farmer Wellness Initiative, the provincial and federal governments are funding access for up to four free counselling sessions with a mental health professional for all farmers across Ontario including members of their family. The mental health professionals have received training to understand the unique needs of Ontario farmers.
Get the support you need today – Call 1 866 267 6255.
More information can be found here: https://farmerwellnessinitiative.ca/.
To learn more about the launch of this program and what it entails, click here.
If you or someone you know is in distress and needs help, there are people and resources available that can help.
Please note the following resources were compiled from various services, organizations and associations. OFA does not own the rights to any of the resources or support information listed below.
Immediate support is available through:
Call Farmer Wellness Initiative at 1-866-267-6255
The telehealth line is accessible 24/7/365. Counselling is available by phone, virtual, or in person.
To learn more, please visit https://farmerwellnessinitiative.ca/
Call ConnexOntario at 1-866-531-2600
Live information and referral specialists are standing by. Call 24/7 for information and referral.
You can also use a chat online, email, and access additional resources from
https://www.connexontario.ca.
Health Services Information for Ontarians
ConnexOntario provides free and confidential health services information. ConnexOntario is funded by the Government of Ontario.
ConnexOntario FAQ – What to Expect
Do I have to give my name?
No, information and referral is a free and confidential service. We will ask you for non-identifying information (like your postal code). This helps us find services in your community. We will still help you if you don’t want to provide this information. We are funded by the Government of Ontario.
Do you provide counselling?
We offer listening, support and information about counselling and other services in your community. We do not provide counselling.
What happens when I call the information and referral service?
An Information and Referral Specialist answers your call 24/7. We will ask you for some non-identifying information like the name of your city or town. This helps us give you information about services where you live. We also listen, provide support, and offer strategies to help you get started. We are here to help you with information, not to judge.
Who can call?
Anyone! You can call for yourself or for someone you care about. Almost 50% of our calls come from family members or concerned friends.
How can you help me?
- provide information about counselling services and supports in your community
- listen, offer support and provide strategies to help you meet your goals
- provide basic education about addictions services
I’m not ready to get help, can I still call you?
We’re happy to talk to you, even if you’re just looking for general information. No question is too small. We’re here to help.
Distress and Crisis Ontario
Distress Centres (DC) are available across Ontario offering confidential, private support for anyone who is in distress or crisis. At a DC you can find a listening ear for lonely, depressed, and/or suicidal people, usually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Many centres also have Suicide Survivor programs, support services for youth, telephone call out programs for seniors and vulnerable people, mental health Crisis Lines services and much more. A listing of centres is available at http://www.dcontario.org/centres.html
| Location | Organization Contact information |
| Durham Region | Distress Centre DurhamDistress Line: 905-430-2522; 1-800-452-0688 Pride Line: 1-855-87PRIDE (77433) Business Line: 905-430-3511 Website: www.distresscentredurham.com |
| Halton Region | Distress Centre Halton
Distress Lines: Oakville: 905-849-4541 Burlington: 905-681-1488 North Halton: 905-877-1211 Website: www.dchalton.ca The Halton Regional Police Service Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) crisis line is 1-877-825-9011 |
| Kingston | Telephone Aid Line Kingston (TALK)
Distress Line: 613-544-1771 |
| Lanark, Leeds, and Grenville Counties | Developmental Services Lanark Leeds Grenville
Distress Line: 1-800-465-4442 |
| London Middlesex | CMHA Middlesex
Distress Line: 519-601-8055 / 1-844-360-8055 Reach Out: 519-433-2023 / 1-866-933-2023 Website: https://cmhamiddlesex.ca/programs-services/support-line/ |
| Niagara Region | Distress Centre Niagara
Distress Lines: St Catharines, Niagara Falls & Area: 905-688-3711 Fort Erie Area: 905-382-0689 Grimsby, West Lincoln: 905-563-6674 Port Colborne, Wainfleet: 905-734-1212 Website: www.distresscentreniagara.com |
| Northern Ontario | Beendigen Inc (Talk 4 Healing)
Distress Line: 1-855-554-HEAL (4325) Offers services in English, Ojibway, Oji-Cree, and Cree Website: http://www.talk4healing.com |
| Ottawa & Region | Distress Centre Ottawa & Region
Ottawa Distress Line: 613-238-3311 Outaouais Distress Line: 1-866-676-1080 Champlain Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-866-996-0991 Mental Health Crisis Line Grey & Bruce: 1-877-470-5200 Frontenac Mental Health Crisis Line: 1-855-477-2963 Website: www.dcottawa.on.ca |
| Peel Region (includes
Mississauga and Brampton) |
Spectra Helpline
Peel & Mississauga: 905-459-7777 Monday-Friday; 10:00 am-10:00 pm Cantonese, Mandarin, Portuguese, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu Website: www.spectrahelpline.org |
| Québec and Ontario
(French Speaking Only) |
Tel-Aide Outaouais:
Distress Line (Gatineau): 819-775-3223 |
| Toronto | Distress Centres Toronto
Distress Line: 416-408-4357 |
| Wellington, Waterloo and
Dufferin Counties |
Torchlight
Distress Line: 5 19-821-3760 or 1-888-821-3760 Here 24/7 Crisis Line |
| Windsor &
Essex County |
The Downtown Mission
Distress Line: 519-256-5000 |