Quick Facts...
- Resilient people reinterpret negative meanings into positive ones.
- Stress and depression cause farmers and rural residents to have an
increased risk for substance abuse problems, farm accidents, injury,
and suicide.
- Depression and stress during tough times, like drought, often result
in conflicts with spouses and poor parenting practices that may cause
problems for youth in school achievement, peer relations, antisocial
behavior, self-confidence, depression, and substance abuse.
- As more people reach out for support, more self-help groups, support
groups, and hot lines are created.
In tough times resilient people do not give up. They face their stress
directly, learn from the past, and reach out for and use resources. They
also reinterpret negative meanings into positive ones. Especially in rural
areas, many individuals and families are strong, independent, self-sufficient,
and resilient.
Learning how to manage stress and increase resilience is important, especially
during tough times such as drought. If the history of the mid-80s repeats
itself, we can expect financial stress to lead to increased psychological
distress.2 Loss, or threat of loss, of the family farm or ranch
will often produce multiple stress-related symptoms or depression.3
Farmers and rural residents will often have an increased risk for substance
abuse problems, farm accidents, injury, or even suicide.4,5
What are the social costs of drought?
Even before the drought, more Colorado farm and ranch families were seeking
off-farm employment. In 2002, the most recent year statistics are available,
57 percent of Colorado operators had some off-farm employment, which is
up from 55 percent in 1997 and 39 percent in 1974.6
Farmers, ranchers, and rural families were also experiencing signs of
high stress. Colorado’s overall suicide rate was the 7th highest
in the nation at 16.0/100,000, which was 48percent higher than the national
average of 10.8/100,000.7 The leading external cause of death
on Colorado ranches and farms was suicide.8 If history repeats
the grim statistics of the last agricultural crisis in the mid-80s, we
could see suicide rates triple among farmers and ranchers as compared
to suicide rates for the rest of Colorado.9 We can also expect
some rural communities to experience social disintegration and some to
completely collapse.10 In addition, there is the potential
for violence against others11 or oneself.
The economic impact of suicide is high
As the ninth-leading cause of death in Colorado, suicide has a significant
impact on the state economy. The direct costs include health care expenses,
autopsies, and criminal investigations. Economists estimate the annual
direct costs of each attempted suicide is $6,000 and each completed suicide
is $2,371.12 They also estimate the indirect costs related
to life lost—assuming employment until age 65 and based on the present
value of lost expenses. Annual indirect costs for each attempted suicide
is $31,616 and each completed suicide is $446,314.13 Therefore,
the combined estimated direct and indirect costs of each attempted suicide
is $37,616. The combined estimated costs of each completed suicide is
$448,685. Both suicide attempts and deaths are costly to Colorado—$59
million in direct costs and over $571 million in indirect costs in 2000.14
Tough times such as those experienced during drought can be especially
hard on families. If the “Farm Crisis” of the mid-80s is any
indication, farm and ranch families will experience increased intergenerational
conflict.15 There may be increases in depression, divorce, and domestic
violence.16 Farm and ranch children may have an increased risk for mental
disorders and antisocial behavior.17 Some rural youth may rise to the
occasion with more responsible behavior as they try to help their families.18
Depression and stress during tough times often result in conflicts with
spouses and poor parenting practices that may cause problems for adolescents
in school achievement, peer relations, antisocial behavior, self-confidence,
depression, and substance abuse.19
Nevertheless, because many individuals and families are tough, independent,
resilient people they will mediate the effect of economic adversity and
experience fewer depressive symptoms by using their personal coping strategies
and social support systems.20 As more people reach out for
support, there will be more self-help groups, support groups, and hot
lines.21 More people will use mediation services, which will
improve their mental health.22
Signs of suicidal thinking:
Anxiety or depression: Severe, intense feelings of anxiety or depression.
Withdrawal or isolation: Withdrawn, alone, lack of friends and
support.
Helpless and hopeless: Sense of complete powerlessness, a hopeless
feeling.
Alcohol abuse: There is often a link between drinking and suicide.
Previous suicide attempts
Suicidal plan: Frequent or constant thoughts with a specific plan
in mind.
Cries for help: Makes plans for a burial plot, buys a large amount
of life insurance, writes a will, gives favorite possessions away, and
reconciles friendships.
Talks about suicide: “I’m calling it quits,” or “Maybe
my family would be better off without me.”
How do I recognize stress and depression?23
Watch for signs of farm and ranch stress. Change in routine, care
of livestock/farmstead declines, increase in illness, increase in farm
or ranch accidents, signs of stress in children.
Watch for physical signs of chronic, prolonged stress. Headaches,
backaches, eating irregularities, sleep disturbances, frequent sickness,
ulcers, or exhaustion.
Watch for emotional signs of chronic, prolonged stress. Sadness,
depression, anger or blame, anxiety, loss of spirit, or loss of humor.
Watch for behavioral signs of chronic, prolonged stress. Irritability,
backbiting, acting out, withdrawal, alcoholism, or violence.
Watch for cognitive signs of chronic, prolonged stress. Memory
loss, lack of concentration, or inability to make decisions.
Watch for problems with self-esteem. "I'm a failure," "I blew
it," "Why can't I...?"
Watch for signs of depression.
Appearance: Sad face, slow movements, unkempt look, drastic weight
change-either up or down.
Unhappy feelings: Feeling sad, hopeless, discouraged, and listless.
Negative thoughts: "I'm a failure," "I'm no good," "No one cares."
Reduced activity and pleasure in usual activities: "Doing anything
is just too much of an effort."
People problems: "I don't want anyone to see me," "I feel so lonely."
Physical problems: Sleeping problems, decreased sexual interest,
headaches.
Guilt and low self-esteem: "It's completely my fault," "I should
be punished."
Feeling worthless, inadequate, rejected, and insecure.
Lack of future orientation in conversation.
What can I do to cope during tough times?
- Refer a person who is depressed or suicidal to a nearby mental
health professional. See your telephone book yellow pages under “Counselor,”
or refer the person to the nearest hospital emergency room, sheriff, or
police.
- Watch the meaning or perception you have about the drought. Strive
to find a positive meaning that will benefit you, your spouse, and your
family.24
- Manage your stress, anger, blame, and depression in healthy ways.
- If your major stressor is a problem between you as a borrower and
your lender, ask for mediation help from the Colorado Agricultural Mediation
Program.25
How can I maintain my emotional well-being in tough times, like during
a drought?
Answer the questions below and learn more resilient ways to weather tough
times.
1. Drought—what does it mean to me today?
(For example, it means we’re losing the family farm/ranch. It means
that we’ve got our fences fixed and our roads graded. It means that
we’re using the time to have family meetings to create a new shared
family vision for our future.)
2. What actions/steps am I’m likely to take with a meaning like
this?
(I’m likely to withdraw. I’m likely to talk and listen to family
members.)
3. What emotions am I likely to feel when I think about this meaning?
(Depression, sadness, enthusiasm, hope, and excitement.)
4. When I experienced a different crisis, what steps did I take that
helped me and my family survive? What coping skills did I use then that
helped me/us bounce back?
(We brainstormed solutions to our problem. We maintained a sense of humor.
We consulted with our attorney, our lender, our family counselor, and
our accountant. We held family meetings and listened to one another’s
ideas.)
5. What personal resources did I use?
(My problem-solving skills, sense of humor, determination to take one
day at a time, and my spiritual life.)
6. What family resources did I use?
(Communicating openly and discussing pros and cons of solutions that we
brainstormed.)
7. What community resources did I use?
(Accountant, attorney, lender, mental health counselor, physician, priest/
minister, and guidance counselor.)
8. What personal, family, or community resources could we use to better
cope with this drought situation today?
(Hold monthly family meetings, accept predicaments over which we have
no control, and solve problems one at a time.)
9. What are some healthy ways I can use to reduce stress?
(Ask my spouse for a backrub, make time daily to unwind and focus one- on-one
with each family member.)
10. What are some healthy ways I can use to decrease my anger levels?
(Stop, step back, and think—what do I really want for me and for
the person with whom I am angry?)
11. What are some healthy ways I can use to manage depression?
(Make a list of my strengths and accomplishments and enjoy them. Visit
with a trusted counselor, physician, or psychologist.)
12. What are some resources we could call on?
(Physicians, counselors, ministers, accountants, attorneys, and lenders.)
References
2Beeson, P. G. (1999, Winter). The research: Potential mental
health consequences of the farm crisis. Party-Line, pp. 6-8. Retrieved
March 26, 2003 from http://www.narmh.org/pages/farmfive.html . Schulman,
M. D., & Armstrong, P. S. (1989). The farm crisis: An analysis of
social psychological distress among North Carolina farm operators. American
Journal of Community Psychology, 17(4), pp. 423-442.
3Heffernan, W. D., & Heffernan, J. B. (1988). Impact of
the farm crisis on rural families and communities. The Rural Sociologist,
6(3), pp. 160-170. Ortega, S. T., Johnson, D. R., Beeson, P. G., &
Craft, B. J. (1994). The farm crisis and mental health: A longitudinal
study of the 1980s. Rural Sociology, 59(4), pp. 598-619.
4Hsieh, H. H., Khan, M. H., Cheng, S., & Curran, J. J.
(1988). Increased drinking and the farm crisis: A preliminary report.
Hospital and Community Psychiatry, 39(3), pp. 315-316. Geller,
J. M., Ludtke, R. L., & Stratton, T. (1990). Nonfatal farm injuries
in North Dakota: A sociological analysis. The Journal of Rural Health,
6(2), pp. 185-196.
5Gunderson, P., Donner, D., Nashold, R., Salkowicz, L., Sperry,
S., & Wittman, B. (1993, May/June). The epidemiology of suicide among
farm residents or workers in five north-central states, 1980-1988. Farm
injuries: A public health approach. American Journal of Preventive
Medicine, 9, pp. 26-32.
617,801/31,369=56.7%. 2002 Census of Agriculture-Census, State-County
Data. Retreived April 10, 2007 from www.nars.usda.gov/census/pull_data_census.USDA.
(1997). 1997 census of agriculture, 1(6) (AC97-A-6). Washington, DC: U.S.
Government Printing Office, p. 10.
72002 Census of Agriculture-Census, State-County Data. Table
1. County Summary Highlights: 2002. Retreived April 10, 2007, from www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/pdf/mortality/nvsr54_13_129.pdf.
8T. Daniels, personal e-mail communication, August 22, 2000.
7 of 28 rural deaths in Colorado were reported as suicides in 1999.
9In the mid-1980s in Oklahoma, the farm suicide rate was 42/100,000
as compared with an overall suicide rate of 15/100,000. In Kansas the
farm suicide rate was 40.27/100,000 in 1985 as compared with an overall
suicide rate of 11.5/100,000. Similar high rates of farm/ranch suicide
rates were found in Minnesota, Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, and
Wisconsin. Finch, C. (1990, October). Farmers are still killing themselves.
Farm Journal. (Available from 230 W. Washington Square, Philadelphia,
PA.). Peterson, R, & Fetsch, R. J. (2003). Agricultural mental
health: Unique practitioner challenges. Unpublished manuscript.
10Beeson, P. G. (1999, Winter). The research: Potential mental
health consequences of the farm crisis. Party-Line, pp. 6-8. Retrieved
March 26, 2003 from http://www.narmh.org/pages/farmfive.html. Davidson,
O. G. (1996). Broken heartland: The rise of America’s rural ghetto.
Iowa City: University of Iowa Press. Fitchen, J. M. (1987). When communities
collapse: Implications for rural America. Human Services in the Rural
Environment, 10-11 (4-1), pp. 48-57.
11Brown, B. (1989). Lone tree: A true story of murder in America’s
heartland. Crown Publishers.
12The Colorado Trust, 2002. Suicide in Colorado. Denver. p.
2.
13The Colorado Trust, 2002, p. 2.
14The Colorado Trust, 2002, p. 2.
15Anderson, R. M., & Rosenblatt, P. C. (1985). Intergenerational
transfer of farm land. Journal of Rural Community Psychology, 16(1),
pp. 19-25).
16Johnson, D. R., & Booth, A. (1990). Rural economic decline
and marital quality: A panel study of farm marriages. Family Relations,
39, pp. 159-165. See National Mental Health Association. (1988). National
Action Commission Report on the Mental Health of Rural Americans.
17Conger, R. D., & Elder, H. E. (1994). Families in
troubled times. Aldine De Gruyter.
18Van Hook, M. (1990, Winter). The Iowa farm crisis: Perceptions,
interpretations, and family patterns. In V. McLoyd & C. Flanagan (Eds.)
Economic stress: Effects on family life and child development (pp. 71-86).
New Directions for Child Development, 46. San Francisco: Jossey
Bass.
19Conger, R., Patterson, G.R., & Ge, X. (1995). It takes
two to replicate: A mediational model for the impact of parents’
stress on adolescent adjustment. Child Development, 66(1), pp.
80-97. Ge, X., Conger, R., Lorenz, F., Elder, G., Montague, R., &
Simons, R. (1992). Linking family economic hardship to adolescent distress.
Journal of Research on Adolescence, 2, pp. 3351-3378. Ge, X., Conger,
R., Lorenz, F., & Simons, R. (1994). Parents’ stressful life
events and adolescent depressed mood. Journal of Health and Social
Behavior, 35, pp. 28-44. Conger, R., Lorenz, F., Elder, G., Melby,
J., Simons, R., & Conger, K. (1991). A process model of family economic
pressure and early adolescent alcohol use. Journal of Early Adolescence,
11, pp. 430-449.
20Lobao, L. M. (1990). Psychosocial consequences of agricultural
transformation: The farm crisis and depression. Rural Sociology,
55(1), pp. 58-75.
21Wagendfeld, M. O., Murray, J. D., Mobatt, D. F., & DeBruyn,
J. C. (1994). Mental Health and Rural America: 1980-1993. U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services Public Health Service, NIH Publication
No. 94-3500.
22Rettig, K. D., Bauer, J. W., & Danes, S. M. (1990). Adjustment
of farm families to economic stress: A two-year study [Minnesota Report
220-1990-Item No. AD-MR-3994]. St. Paul: Minnesota Agricultural Experiment
Station.
23Adapted from Williams, R. T., & Fetsch, R. J. (2003).
Farm and ranch family stress and depression: A checklist and guide for
making referrals. Retrieved March 4, 2003 from http://www.ext.colostate.edu/drought/checklist.html
24See Chapter Nine “Disasters and socio-economic systems”
in Alexander, D. (1993). Natural disasters. New York: Chapman and
Hall.
25Contact Gary Graalman, Colorado Department of Agriculture,
2331 West 31st Avenue, Denver, CO 80211, (303) 480-9236, GaryGraalman@ag.state.co.us.
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