Farming has always been one of the most demanding career paths that a person could choose to navigate. On top of that there are natural disasters followed by more natural disasters, commodity and financial stresses combined with sometimes uncertain trade situations. Today's farmers are declaring bankruptcy at higher rates, having to choose to sell their land to make ends meet or facing skyrocketing input cost. Farming is so stressful that the agricultural industry has higher rates of suicide than most other occupations.
Farmers are sometimes unable to "weather the storm" or wait for things to "bounce back", they don't see a "niche" market or new commodity that they could afford to implement. They are having to sell out, but finding that the sales profits aren't enough to cover there debts or secure their futures. That makes many farmers wonder why previous generations could run the farm and be profitable but they can not. Some feel they are letting past as well as current generations down, all the while never understanding that circumstances are more challenging than ever before.
Farmers must love the soil, plants and or animals they care for daily and acquire the training and knowledge to do so. They also must have a combination of effective mechanical, administrative, marketing, logistics, communication, decision making skills, time management, and interpersonal skills to be effective. Plus, they have to be risk takers as every time a seed is planted or a cow is bred they hoping that the future will smile upon them.
All of this can lead to depression, anxiety and a ongoing lack of sleep. Farmers are generally a proud breed of people and sometime are to strong willed to ask for help. Internalization of problems or concerns and lack of knowing who to talk too that won't condemn or whom they feel won't pass judgement is sometimes a barrier to help.
(photos courtesy of Extension Wisconsin and morningagclips.com)
Are you struggling with any of the following? You may want assistance.
- If you don't have a strong support network.
- If you don't have someone to talk with, lean on or trust.
- Your thoughts and emotions interfere with your daily life or activities.
- Your sadness or feelings of melancholy impact your work, school or relationships.
- You exhibit or are afraid you might be prone to unimaginable impulsiveness, anger or violence.
- You find yourself isolating your self from others.
If you are one of farmers or land owners who are looking for assistance, need sometime to "hear you", please review some of the ways stress and anxiety can affect your body, your thoughts and affect you. Create a Coping Strategies Plan, or find someone to talk with about your concerns.
