Modern agricultural equipment provides reliable service as long as it’s properly maintained. Crop farmers know that they must take care of the health of their soil, while livestock farmers have to look after their animals.
Why is it that farmers molycoddle their crops, animals and machinery, yet neglect to maintain their most important resource: their own physical and mental well-being?
A recent New Zealand study cites the following as among the main causes of mental stress in farmers: workload (too much to do in too little time); financial pressure; the weather; and unreasonable personal expectations and goals.
These factors are also present in South Africa, where additional stressors include a largely hostile government, the ever-present threat of farm attacks, and the drought – the true effects of which will only be visible in coming months.
All this is enough to give anyone stress. Now add the fact that farmers are price-takers both on the input and output side, and that they do not get a fair share of the consumer’s rand.
Danger signs
This is not a medical column, but it’s worth listing some of the signs of severe stress that farmers and their families and friends should look out for.
- A feeling of being unable to cope, and continuous anxiety;
- Lack of energy and interest in previously enjoyable activities;
- Mood swings;
- Excessive worry about minor issues;
- Inability to concentrate;
- Significant changes in normal sleeping and eating patterns.
Failure to achieve unrealistic goals has been found to be a major source of stress among farmers. Remember the SMART acronym – goals must be Specific, Measurable, Realistic and Achievable within a specific Time frame.
