The Guardian's Role

What Does a Guardian Do?

A Guardian is trained to…

  • Recognize members of the agricultural community struggling with mental health concerns.
  • Identify and address warning signs of suicide.
  • Initiate conversations with at-risk farmers and confidently communicate with farmers in distress.
  • Identify people at risk of suicide by verifying the presence of suicidal thoughts or suicide planning.
  • 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 wellbeing.

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 provided with funding by the governments of Canada and Ontario, including
support from the Canadian Agricultural Partnership, a five-year federal-provincial-territorial initiative.