Twice as many P.E.I. fishermen have sought mental health counselling in past year

The number of people working in fisheries and aquaculture who are calling a dedicated industry counselling service on Prince Edward Island has more than doubled over the last fiscal year. 

From May 2022 to May 2023, the service counselled 24 people. That jumped to 64 people in the 2023-24 fiscal year. 

"The stigma for reaching out [about] mental health, I think that's decreasing in our society generally. So it becomes more socially acceptable and people give themselves permission to reach out," said social worker Frank Bulger. 

The program has been offered since 2019 by Frank Bulger Personal and Family Counselling, on behalf of the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association and the P.E.I. Aquaculture Alliance. Bulger administers the program, along with a counsellor in Summerside and one who works remotely from Alberta. 

He said more people may be seeking help because the industry associations are doing a good job letting their members know the program is there. 

"We have people coming from all ports of P.E.I. phoning to use the program and we're very pleased about that," he said. 

The program had an annual budget of $15,000 but this past year, due to the increased demand, Bulger went back to the associations seeking an extra $5,000. The government stepped up to provide that.

He anticipates the program will require at least $20,000 per year in the future. 

'Reach out and talk to somebody'

People come seeking help for anxiety and depression, followed by marital issues and addictions, Bulger said. Grief, trauma and fleet succession planning are also on the minds of those calling in.

More people involved in P.E.I. fishing industry are seeking mental health support

2 months ago

Duration 5:40

Calls to a new industry counselling service administered by the P.E.I. Fishermen's Association have more than doubled over the past year. CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin speaks with counsellor Frank Bulger about the anxiety fishers are feeling, and why they're reaching out.

As well, he said, more people seek help when there is unrest or violence in their communities. 

Fishing boat owners, crew members and harvesters, as well as their families, can call (902) 894-8004, (902) 626-9787 or (902) 786-4656 for the free, confidential counselling. 

If you're experiencing problems, Bulger said, "I think it's most often helpful to reach out and talk to somebody."