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UNMC, Nebraska Extension encourages people to ask for help – you are not alone!
NOTE: In light of recent floods in the Midwest, this article is the second in a series of safe flood recovery stories intended to help people in their reconstruction efforts.
Nebraska farmers had enough stress to deal with before this year's floods ravaged a huge band of farm, business and community properties. Now, the uncertainty that farmers face in crop and livestock operations can seem overwhelming.
The University of Nebraska Medical Center and the Nebraska Extension want farmers and their communities to know: "You are not alone. We care about you! And help is just a call, or even an SMS.
"We know it's sometimes hard to talk about the stress we are experiencing," said Susan Harris-Broomfield, Nebraska Extension Educator – Health, Well-being and Rural Safety. "To achieve this goal, nothing more simple: send a text message" GO "to the number 741741 to connect to the national text line for the prevention of suicide in crisis. It's free and crisis counselors are supported 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. "
The first effects of the collapse of the Spencer Dam on March 14 were quite traumatic: they destroyed bridges, roads, buildings and animals. However, the effects of this catastrophic event will greatly increase the stress on farmers and farming communities for years to come.
The Life Change Index is a scale that measures the impact of individuals on different life changes. A sudden change has a physical, emotional and psychological effect on our body. It reorders important routines, sending our physical being in turmoil and causing significant stress.
"Cortisol is our built-in" fight or flight "alarm system, the main stress hormone in our body," said Harris-Broomfield. "It works in conjunction with our brain to control mood, motivation and fear. At normal levels, it helps a number of bodily functions. But when stress persists and we continue to overproduce cortisol, it has significant adverse effects. "
Excessive levels of cortisol can disrupt normal body functions, leading to anxiety and depression, headaches, heart disease, memory and concentration problems, digestive problems, insomnia, and weight gain.
"When cortisol levels stay high, it can increase blood sugar levels, which puts your pancreas to the test," said Harris-Broomfield. "It can suppress your immune system and cause high blood pressure, opening the way to a heart attack or stroke."
While cortisol wreaks havoc with significant bodily functions, emotional and psychological functions also suffer. The effects of prolonged stress on our brain may not be very visible at the beginning of a stressful event. However, over time, the effects of mental stress can lead to depression, anxiety, and personality disorders.
"As we sleep, our brain hunts the harmful toxins that accumulate there every day," said Harris-Broomfield. "A good night's sleep stimulates memory, concentration and learning. A person who is constantly under severe stress loses the benefits of sleep. "
When stress is prolonged, people can physically exhaust themselves, experience forgetfulness and a high level of anxiety. A generally balanced, friendly and sociable person can lose his sense of humor, his desire to isolate himself from others and develop a negative view of life.
"If the stress persists, it becomes a downward spiral in which people can not get out if they are not helped to do it," said Harris-Broomfield.
Harris-Broomfield recommends that family members and friends of stressed people listen actively. Active listening techniques include showing interest, gathering information to help you understand, giving non-verbal cues such as nodding and leaning forward, and rephrase what you have heard in your own words.
"Listen without judgment," said Harris-Broomfield. "If you see a sign suggesting that a person is planning to commit suicide, just ask him:" Do you have suicidal thoughts? "
Warning signs of suicide include someone threatening to hurt themselves or commit suicide; talk about wanting to die, especially if someone brandishes a weapon and intends to harm himself with it.
Other signals include feeling desperate or a burden, giving away property, overeating alcohol or drugs, acquiring a firearm, and asking questions about insurance in case of death. These signs should be of particular concern if these types of actions are out of the ordinary for that person.
"Many people are shocked when asked if they plan to commit suicide or not, but often if they do, they respond in the affirmative," said Harris-Broomfield Saif. "Do not worry, you put the idea in your head. You just have to ask. If they answer "yes", do not leave them alone. Call immediately or send an SMS to someone to get help. It is very helpful to have hotline phone numbers on your phone, so they are easily available if you need it. "
Harris-Broomfield pointed out that all the extension resources available to farmers, ranchers and their Nebraska families are free.
"We are introducing a new webinar for farm and farm families," she said.
Nebraska Extension Educators Glennis McClure and Brandy VanDeWalle will present the free "Wellness in Tough Times" webinar, which will provide strategies for dealing with the stress of farming or ranching in today's challenging economy. The live webinar will air on April 23 at noon (CDT) and can be viewed at go.unl.edu/farmstresswebinar.
After the April 23 broadcast, the webinar can be viewed on go.unl.edu/farmstresswebinar.
For more information, contact VanDeWalle at [email protected] or at (402) 759-3712.
"Communicating with Farmers Under Stress" is a Nebraska extension program designed to help agri-food professionals meet and work with farmers and ranchers. The two-hour workshops, which will be held in five different locations across the state, will help raise awareness of the potentially stressful conditions faced by some farmers.
"The workshop will help participants identify stress triggers and signs of stress," said Harris-Broomfield. "Presenters will also talk about helpful techniques for responding to stressed people. Some farmers may struggle to manage stress effectively and presenters will explain how to identify, approach and work with them. We will also tell you where to ask for additional help and resource information for many different situations. "
The dates and locations of the workshops will be available soon. For more information on the workshops, contact Harris-Broomfield at [email protected].
Harris-Broomfield said machine failures, debt burdens, market volatility, lack of sleep, regulatory changes, and pressure to keep multigenerational farms are just some of the issues Nebraska farmers will have to resolve in the weeks, months and years ahead.
"Do not be ashamed to ask for help," she said. "All of these things affect us both mentally and physically. We are strong in Nebraska, but it can sometimes mean having the strength to ask for help. "
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