Farmers Talk program featured as part of Canada’s Premiers Promising Practices Podcast

Islanders and other Canadians can learn more about PEI’s FarmersTalk.ca initiative as part of a new podcast series on mental health and addictions support. 

Members of the farming community are joined by Premier Dennis King, Agriculture and Land Minister Bloyce Thompson to discuss the challenges that many people in the agriculture industry deal with and a growing willingness to talk about the mental health toll that farmers face.

“Farming is a tough way of life and that can have a significant mental toll on farmers,” said Agriculture and Land Minister Bloyce Thompson. “No one should have to struggle alone, and that includes farmers. We need to have open and honest conversations about farming and mental health and I am committed to championing this cause locally and nationally.”

Promising Practices is a 13-episode podcast launched by Canada’s Premiers to share each jurisdiction’s work on mental health and addictions and highlights a local program or initiative that supports their residents. Prince Edward Island’s episode of the podcast features the FarmersTalk.ca initiative, a call to action to the Island farming community to talk about mental health and mental illness to reduce stigma and support resiliency.

“We know that mental health is an essential part of our overall health, in how we enjoy life and cope with life’s challenges and change. For too long, people have suffered in silence but as a society, we are beginning to move away from the stigma often associated with mental health. We must normalize conversations around mental health so that together we can find acceptance, understanding and support.”

- Premier Dennis King

Media contacts:
Vicki Tse
Senior Communications Officer
Executive Council Office
vickitse@gov.pe.ca 

Ron Ryder
Senior Communications Officer
Agriculture and Land
rrryder@gov.pe.ca