Regina-based Farm Credit Canada is providing 100 thousand dollars to expand a mental health support system for farmers.

FCC community investment consultant Glenda Heavisides says her agency has reached a partnership with the Do More Agriculture Foundation to expand a network of mental health first aid responders for farmers.

Last year, the two organizations started a pilot project in 12 communities across Canada, training over 230 rural residents to be mental health first respondents.

This year, Heavisides says the goal is to set up workshops in 2 dozen communities to train over 400 rural residents as mental health first respondents.

She says agriculture is a growing and dynamic industry, offering many exciting opportunities.

But she adds there are times when things don’t go as expected and problems are compounded by long days, a sense of isolation, and people don’t have access to important resources for support.