The last few years have been difficult for farm and ranch families. Many are experiencing financial and emotional stress as a result. There are several signs or symptoms when a farm family may be in need of help. These are signs that can be observed by friends, extended family members, neighbors, milk haulers, veterinarians, clergy persons, school personnel, or health and human service workers.
Identifying signs of farm and ranch stress and depression
Identifying the signs
There are several signs or symptoms when a farm family may need help. These are signs that can be observed by friends, extended family members, neighbors, milk haulers, veterinarians, clergy persons, school personnel, or health and human service workers. These signs include:
- Change in routines — The rancher or ranch family stops attending church, drops out of 4-H, Homemakers or other groups, or no longer stops in at the local coffee shop or feed mill.
- Care of livestock declines — Cattle may not be cared for in the usual way; they may lose condition, appear gaunt, or show signs of neglect or physical abuse.
- Increase in illness – Farmers or farm family members may experience more upper respiratory illnesses (colds, flu) or other chronic conditions (aches, pains, persistent cough).
- Increase in farm or ranch accidents – The risk of farm accidents increases due to fatigue or loss of ability to concentrate; children may be at risk if there isn’t adequate childcare.
- The appearance of the farmstead declines – The farm family no longer takes pride in the way farm buildings and grounds appear or no longer has the time to do maintenance work.
- Children show signs of stress – Farm and ranch children may act out, declining academic performance, or be increasingly absent from school; they may also show signs of physical abuse or neglect.
Identifying signs of depression or suicidal intent
The greater the number of signs or symptoms a ranch or farm family is experiencing, the greater your concern should be. In addition, if family members are exhibiting the following signs of depression or suicidal intent, you must connect them with professional help as soon as possible. All cries for help should be taken seriously.
Signs of Depression
- Appearance: Sad face, slow movements, unkempt look.
- Unhappy feelings: Feeling sad, hopeless, discouraged, 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 all my fault,” “I should be punished.”
Signs of suicidal intent
- Anxiety or depression: Severe, intense feelings of anxiety or depression.
- Withdrawal or isolation: Withdrawn, alone, lack friends and support.
- Helpless and hopeless: Sense of complete powerlessness, a hopeless feeling.
- Alcohol abuse: There is often a link between alcoholism and suicide.
- Previous suicidal attempts: May have been previous attempts of low to high lethality.
- Suicidal plan: Frequent or constant thoughts with a specific plan in mind.
- Cries for help: Making a will, giving possessions away, making statements such as “I’m calling it quits,” or “Maybe my family would be better off without me.”
How to Refer a Person for Help
How to help
- Be aware of the agencies and resources available in your community – what services they offer and what their limitations are.
- Listen for signs and symptoms that the person or family needs help that you can’t provide, i.e., financial, legal, or personal counseling.
- Assess what agency or community resource would be most appropriate to address the person’s (or family’s) problems.
- Discuss the referral with the person or family (“It sounds/looks like you are feeling _____. I think _____ could help you deal with your situation.”)
- Explore the individual’s or family’s willingness to initiate contact with the community resource (“How do you feel about seeking help from this person/agency?”)
- Where the person or family is unwilling to take the initiative or where there is some danger if action is not taken, you should take the initiative:
- Call the agency and ask to speak to the intake worker (if there is one).
- Identify yourself and your relationship with the person or family. State what you think the person’s or family’s needs are (needs immediate protection from suicidal acts, needs an appointment for counseling needs financial or legal advice).
- State what you think the person’s or family’s needs are (needs immediate protection from suicidal acts, needs an appointment for counseling, needs financial or legal advice).
- Provide the agency with background information (name, address, and phone; age and gender; nature of current problem or crisis; any past history you’re aware of; further information as called for).
- Make sure the person or family and referral agency connect and get together. Make one or more follow-up contacts with the agency if called for by the situation.
- Ask the agency what follow-up action they will take:
- When will they act on the referral?
- Who will be the person for you to contact Later if necessary?
- What will be the cost of the service (flat fee/sliding scale)?
- Do you need to do anything else to complete the referral?
Author and Disclaimer
Robert J. Fetsch and Roger T. Williams
Colorado State University, U.S. Department of Agriculture and Colorado counties cooperating. CSU Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. No endorsement of products mentioned is intended nor is criticism implied of products not mentioned.
