The province has announced Mobile Crisis Services will assume responsibility for calls to the Farm Stress Line starting July 4, 2012.
This transfer to Mobile Crisis Services will provide improved service to farmers and ranchers who use the Farm Stress Line, with one-an-one service now available 24 hours a day. Previously, if a producer called after hours they could choose to be connected with Mobile Crisis Services or leave a message on the Farm Stress Line message manager, Now there will be staff available to take calls at any time.
The existing number will remain the same (1-800-667-4442) and farmers and ranchers will continue to receive the confidential counselling, support and referral services they may need.
"Transferring the Farm Stress Line to Mobile Crisis Services will proVide farmers and ranchers with 24/7 access to the support they may need in tough times," Agriculture Minister Lyle Stewart says. "While the demand for these services has decreased, we still want farmers and ranchers to know they can continue to rely on these services when they need it."
Calls to the Farm Stress Line have been decreasing in recent years, with approximately 330 calls last year, or less than one caller per day. Mobile Crisis services is a non-profit community based agency, They have a full complement of frontline staff, primarily social workers, trained and equipped to handle a Wide range of issues, and have been providing crisis intervention services since 1974.
"The Farm Stress Line fits well into our existing services," Mobile Crisis Services Inc. Executive Director Glenda Jenkins adds. "Our employees are trained and well equipped to provide the confidential counselling services farmers and ranchers may need."
The change in delivery of the service will save the provincial government approximately $100,000 per year.
