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Deadline approaches for award celebrating mental health champions in ag

The deadline for nominations for the Brigid Rivoire Award for Champions of Agricultural Mental Health is Oct. 11, 2019.

The annual award recognizes an individual, organization or group that has made outstanding contributions in raising awareness, addressing stigma and supporting agricultural mental health in their local community.

The Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA) created the award in partnership with the Do More Agriculture Foundation, the Canadian Agricultural Human Resource Council, Farm Management Canada and the Canadian Agricultural Safety Association.

The annual award includes a $2,000 donation to any mental health initiative of the recipient’s choice, along with an invitation to attend the Canadian Federation of Agriculture’s annual general meeting in February with all expenses paid, to raise awareness of their work in this important field.

The annual award includes a $2,000 donation to any mental health initiative of the recipient’s choice.

“Farmers and farm families often don’t know where to go or how to get help when they’re in need of mental health supports. This year’s trade disruptions and weather challenges highlight just how little control farmers often have over their own livelihoods. All of this understandably causes immense stress and anxiety for folks working in Canadian agriculture,” begun Mary Robinson, President of CFA, in a released statement.

“Mental health in agriculture has finally been receiving some much-warranted attention. But there’s more to do to build awareness, reduce stigma, and ensure farm families have support when dealing with mental health issues . . .  CFA is excited to offer this award once again as an opportunity to showcase some great work that’s underway and help drive further support for work in this critical area.”

Expressions of interest for this award can be submitted now, and anytime before the October 11 deadline. For more details on the program, including the expression of interest form, details on the nomination process and who is eligible for the program, visit the CFA website here.