Watch For Mental Health Challenges During The Holidays

For the 46 million people living in rural America, the holiday season can present added pressures to an already stressful time of year.  In addition to higher rates of depression, suicide rates among people in rural areas are 64%-68% higher compared to people living in large urban areas.  Rural Minds is a nonprofit with the vision of a rural America where there’s no more stigma, silence or suffering around mental illness.  Jeff Winton, the Founder and Chairman of Rural Minds, said the holidays can increase pressure on families.

“The holidays can be especially stressful for those of us who live on farms. Farming is always a financial roller coaster, with many factors that are out of our control. So when additional financial burdens and expectations are placed on farm families to purchase gifts and entertain during the holidays, this can lead to anxiety and depression," he noted.  "Since many farm families like mine work seven days a week, 365 days of the year, it can be difficult to attend holiday gatherings if they conflict with when livestock should be fed or cows need to be milked.”

Winton said some rural residents cope with mental health challenges in unhealthy ways, especially when confronted with unmet holiday expectations of joy and happiness.

“Many social gatherings during the holidays involve alcohol consumption, and if a person is dealing with stress due to the holidays, this can lead to excessive drinking or overindulging in unhealthy foods.  We also see an increase in other forms of substance use disorder during the holidays.”

Dr. Nikki Shaffer, a nurse practitioner and the director of occupational health and wellness at Pfizer, said it’s important to prioritize self-care, whatever that might look like.

“Prioritize activities like getting enough sleep and getting regular physical exercise – even if that’s just a walk around the block.  It’s also important to set realistic expectations and focus on what’s really important to you," she said.  "Plan and manage your stress. Prioritize tasks.  Delegate responsibilities where you can. Set boundaries to avoid getting overwhelmed.  Remember: While you may be working to create memories for your loved ones this holiday season, it’s also important to take care of yourself. Don’t ignore your own needs during this time of giving.”

It’s also important to create a support network by leaning on friends, family, support groups, or even a therapist during the holidays.  Shaffer said giving back can also help during the holidays.

“Demonstrate gratitude by finding ways to give back to the community – even if it’s a simple hand-written card to someone you appreciate in your life. Meaningful experience can help improve mental well-being. It’s also been shown that connecting with nature reduces stress and improves mental well-being, so remember to get outside if you can. If mental health challenges do get overwhelming, don’t be afraid to seek support from a mental health professional.”

If you or someone you know is suicidal or in emotional distress, you can call the AgriStress hotline at (833) 897-2474.  That service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  You can also call 988 for 24/7 support.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com