Province testing new technology to improve farmer’s mental health

New mobile app offers private counselling, online information to help those struggling in difficult times

An innovation challenge launched by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Agriculture this past spring has quickly paid off, and will result in the development of a new app that will track farmers’ mental health and link them with support. Developed by Bridges Health in Saskatoon in conjunction with Innovation Saskatchewan, the new app – called ‘Avail’ – analyzes information supplied by the user and replies with articles, videos and online tips to improve one’s mental health. If more immediate help is needed, the app can refer the user to a personal support network. Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Tina Beaudry-Mellor said the app will be especially valuable to those who may feel uncomfortable seeking more conventional assistance. “Despite progress made, there is still stigma associated with asking for support when it comes to mental health,” Beaudry-Mellor said in a press release. “Having access to an app in the privacy of one’s own home will enhance the likelihood of people asking for help when they need it the most.”

The timing of the app’s creation is by design, as calls to the province’s farm stress line doubled in 2018-19 compared to the previous year. With COVID-19 throwing additional difficulties into the works, some sort of further assistance was needed.

“Saskatchewan producers face unique challenges when it comes to dealing with mental health and we are committed to providing resources and strategies to help support them,” Agriculture Minister David Marit said. “We know there is a need for solutions like this and I’m looking forward to working with Bridges Health to provide a resource custom-built for the agriculture industry.”

The innovation challenge itself offered $10,000 in funding and a 16-week collaboration with the government to develop the app. Bridges Health emerged with the best plan, and work is underway to bring the project to the public in the near future.

“As a company founded and based in Saskatchewan, the agriculture sector touches both our business and our families,” said Leon Ferguson, Bridges Health vice president. “We are honored to have this opportunity to work with government and partners to develop and advance this mental health and overall wellness tool.” Saskatchewan has run innovation challenges on an annual basis, focussing on issues that require unique solutions to ongoing problems.

Previous competitions include the Rural Property Access challenge in 2019, which developed an app that hunters can use to receive permission for land access from property owners. The beginning of 2018 saw the Waste Diversion Challenge, which saw two companies emerge with winning ideas: one that used artificial intelligence to estimate the weight of waste entering landfills, and another that weighs vehicles in motion and calculates the amount of waste even in extreme weather conditions.

For more information on previous Innovation Challenge winners, be sure to check out innovationsask.ca.