Langley, BC / September 19, 2023 – AgSafe is proud to announce the AgLife Network as part of their commitment to, and expansion of Mental Wellness in Agriculture resources. In recognition of World Suicide Prevention Day on September 10^th, AgSafe’s goal with the AgLife Network is the continued improvement of mental health and well-being resources, access to supports, and building awareness around suicide prevention for British Columbia’s agricultural community.

In June 2023, the Province of BC announced funding to support the expansion of AgSafe’s mental health services in B.C.’s agricultural industry. With the funding delivered by the Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC, AgSafe in partnership with the Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division (CMHA BC) will be launching the AgLife Network, an initiative to build and implement a peer-support service focused on suicide prevention and life promotion.

Influenced by the Association Québécoise de Prévention du Suicide (AQPS) Sentinel program, the AgLife Network will be adapted to meet the specific needs of British Columbians. This includes training service providers to identify risks and intervention strategies, building a peer network of B.C. farmers and farm families with learned intervention skills, and providing supportive clinical counselling.

B.C.’s south coast has the most commodity diversity and the highest concentration of agricultural production in the province. As a result, the AgLife Network will be piloted locally in the region, with the intention of expanding the network across the province.

According to the Mental Health Commission of Canada, agricultural producers (farmers and ranchers) are especially prone to mental health challenges such as depression and anxiety, and may be less resilient because of the unique stressors they experience. An estimated 225 million farmers worldwide struggle with their mental health.

AgSafe and CMHA BC are at the inception stages with the goal of launching more details about the AgLife Network by spring 2024.

The AgLife Network is a suicide prevention and life promotion initiative developed in collaboration and partnership between AgSafe and the Canadian Mental Health Association of BC (CMHA BC). This initiative will include organizing a network of trained volunteers who interact closely with farmers, growers and ranchers through their work or community, to identify farmers who may be struggling with their mental wellness and connect them to professional help. Regional counsellors will provide follow-up support to both AgLife Network volunteers and participants..

Facts and Findings:

In 2021 (during COVID-19), Dr. Andria Jones-Bitton and her colleagues at the Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph conducted a second survey of farmers in Canada and found nationally:

• 20% met the classification for moderate to severe depressive disorders with 1:4 thinking of taking their own life
• 76% classified as experiencing perceived moderate or high stress
• 20% met the classification for moderate to severe anxiety disorders
• Farmers surveyed had significantly higher alcohol consumption than the general public and a majority reported an increase in consumption since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic

British Columbia’s provincial Mental Health Support Line reported a 15 to 20 per cent increase in calls since the catastrophic floods in November 2021, and a manager with the service says hard-hit farmers are making up the bulk of those new calls.

If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, help is available 24-7 in BC at 1(800) SUICIDE
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Mental health support and information on resources is available around the clock in B.C. at 310-6789 (no area code needed).

Mental Health Commission of Canada: Agriculture and Suicide Fact Sheet
AgSafe: Mental Wellness Resources