The Guardian's Role

What Does a Guardian Do?

A Guardian is trained to…

  • Recognize when members of the agricultural community are struggling with their mental health.
  • Identify when someone is having thoughts of suicide and guide them towards appropriate mental health supports.
  • Initiate conversations and confidently communicate with farmers who show signs of mental health distress.
  • Connect farmers or their family members to regional mental health and crisis supports and resources.
  • Maintain strict confidentiality.
  • Set boundaries and have realistic expectations of their role.
  • Access ongoing support specifically tailored to Guardians to ensure their own well-being.

A Guardian prioritizes their own well-being
and does NOT put themselves at risk of harm.

A Guardian does NOT act as a
therapist or counsellor.

A Guardian does NOT provide follow up
mental health care to community members.

Help Support Mental Health on Ontario Farms

Become a Guardian

 

 

 

Program Partners & Supporters

This project is funded in part by the Governments of Canada and Ontario under the Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP),
a federal-provincial-territorial initiative.