Agricultural Stress Awareness
Without effective coping strategies and a strong support network, it is all too easy to slip into a state of distress when faced with life’s challenges. Recognizing the symptoms of stress is a crucial step in managing it in a constructive manner. Symptoms of stress include:
- Anger and irritability
- Feeling worthless
- Lack of Focus
- Forgetfulness
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Increased use of drugs or alcohol
By being aware of these symptoms, individuals can take proactive measures to address their stress and enhance their overall well-being.
Agricultural Stress Resources
Kansas Community Mental Health Centers (CMHC)
The 26 licensed CMHCs have a combined staff of over 4,500 providing mental health services in every county of the state in over 120 locations. Together they form an integral part of the total mental health system in Kansas.
Kansas Farm Bureau / Mental Health Resources
Kansas Farm Bureau offers educational resources to help in times of stress, including mental/behavioral health videos and webinars.
Togetherall
A FREE, anonymous, online community that empowers farmers and their families to get and give support.
Kansas AgrAbility Project
The vision of AgrAbility is to enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with limitations.
Farm Aid’s Farmer Hotline
1-800-FARM-AID (1-800-327-6243) “If you need to talk to someone directly, we are here to listen. Whether you have been farming for a few years or decades we welcome your call, our team will listen and point you in the right direction. Our Farm Aid staff answer the hotline Monday through Friday from 9am to 10pm ET / 6am to 7pm PT.”
Farmer Resource Network
The Farmer Resource Network is a free search tool that can be used to find organizations and resources that are useful for farmers, agricultural service providers, farmworkers, farm communities and farming families across the United States.
K-State Research and Extension
Providing Kansans with research-based educational opportunities to improve their lives, livelihoods and communities.
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255) (ENG), 1-888-628-9454 (ESP) “The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is a national network of local crisis centers that provides free and confidential emotional support to people in suicidal crisis or emotional distress 24 hours a day, 7 days a week in the United States. We’re committed to improving crisis services and advancing suicide prevention by empowering.
National Alliance on Mental Illness | Kansas (NAMI Kansas)
NAMI is a strong grassroots organization that conducts tuition free courses for families of individuals with mental illness and organizes support groups for those individuals. Their Web site contains information on disorders, symptoms, treatment, medications and advocacy.
Coping Strategies
DEEP BREATHING
When we are stressed, our minds and body become overloaded. A minute of deep breathing will help calm the brain and the rest of the body. This technique is excellent because it can be done anywhere and at any time. There are many deep breathing techniques, so you may have to try a few to find one that works best for you. A great one to start with is taking deep breaths while counting backward from 10.
ACCEPTANCE
Some things cause us stress but are out of our control, such as commodity prices, government regulations, ect. By accepting that they are out of our control, we can take productive steps towards shift time and energy towards a solution instead of getting frustrated by the problem.
CONNECTION
The act of socializing itself can reduce stress and remind us of our values to those around us. Sharing feelings, frustrations, and stressful problems aids in strengthening our social support system and destigmatizing mental health issues. Friends, family members, spiritual leaders, and counselors may see problems differently and offer insight, solutions, or additional support.