Suppose something negative just happened. You realize there’s an issue with your livestock, you see a price drop, your lender isn’t willing to work with you any more … so many things piling up on your plate. Your muscles tense, your heart rate increases, your blood pressure rises and your senses sharpen as your pupils dilate.

You are now on high alert and alarm. If things don’t simmer down and dissipate, you might not be able to sleep. You start working numbers over and over, even in your sleep. You stop eating. Things you normally enjoy no longer interest you. You feel as if you’re shutting down. A feeling of dread hangs over you. How did you find yourself here?

This scenario is playing out for real, time and time again in agriculture this year. Beth Archer, executive director of the Indiana AgrIInstitute, says it’s the reason why several members who are part of Class 17 sponsored by the organization decided to hold a one-day symposium on a topic not often addressed in agriculture: mental stress.

“Several members wanted to put it together as their class project, and I told them to go for it,” Archer says. The result was Healing in the Heartland. The event was held at Indiana Farm Bureau in Indianapolis on Sept. 10, but the ramifications will continue for a long time.

30,000-foot view

Here’s a compilation of thoughts and ideas that came out of the conference, from scheduled speakers, comments from participants, and discussion during lunch and breaks.

Think back to the original scenario. All the “what-ifs” pelt your brain, and at times, it feels like there’s no longer room in your mind for anything but worry and dread. You’ve got workers to direct and pay. You’ve got a family looking to you, but you aren’t sure you have the answers anymore.

Your chest feels heavy, and you’re hearing from others that you’re sighing a lot, you look tired. You’re irritable and feel so very alone.

As an agricultural producer, you’re a minority within the population, and yet, you’re attempting to feed the world as well as keep your own little world moving seamlessly along. When things get rattled, so can you. No wonder depression and suicide are so high among farmers and ranchers.

But today, more than ever before, there is help for stress. While the circumstances might not change, there are options, there is compassion and there are people trained to help you navigate the overwhelming result of the stress.

What used to carry a stigma now is spoken about openly. Struggle is normal. It’s a part of life. For a farmer, however, there’s a layered complexity that the rest of the population doesn’t experience.

Realizing you’re not alone is key. Most of the time, others have no idea how someone else is suffering inside. Someone suffering tends to give the pat answer of “I’m fine, how are you?” — even when they feel their world is falling apart.

Seek help

Several people who work in this arena and spoke at the conference made one thing clear: Everyone at some point will feel utterly alone and unsure of how to proceed as difficult circumstances pile up. When that’s your plight, you can’t allow pride and the mindset that you should be able to handle the pressure wrestle you to the ground in defeat.

Rather, these experts suggest it’s healthy and wise to seek help. What that looks like depends upon you, your needs and your personality. Talking with a trusted friend, meeting weekly for coffee with a fellow producer, talking to your medical provider or a counselor — let what’s best for you motivate you rather than the lie that you should be able to handle it on your own, experts emphasize. 

You can’t be all you want to be for your operation, family, friends and community when you can’t keep yourself mentally healthy.

There are spouses, children, siblings, parents and friends who wish they could reach back into time and speak into the wounds and desperation of their loved ones who took their own lives. Remaining in the abyss of depression, suffering alone, shouldn’t be an option today when there are so many who are just an arm’s reach away.

Avoid the domino effect by keeping yourself mentally healthy. Those who care about you will tell you this: You, as an individual, are more valuable than the farm any day.

Watch for these 7 warning signs

Here are seven warning signs that it may be time to seek treatment for someone struggling with a mental health issue. These signs were outlined by Healthy365, a wellness effort of Hancock Regional Hospital, Greenfield, Ind. Learn more at hancockregionalhospital.org.

1. Withdrawal from social contacts. If someone cuts off social interaction, it may be a sign of severe emotional stress.

2. Loss of interest in normal activities and appearance. Perhaps an avid football fan abruptly shows no interest in watching his or her favorite team or turns down invitations to games.

3. Panic attacks. These are very real. The person may think he or she is having a heart attack or other health emergency.

4. Severe change in eating or sleeping habits. People don’t typically shift longtime habits overnight without a reason.

5. Substance use. This may be especially troubling if the person didn’t use substances previously.

6. Talk about death. Sudden fascination with the subject of death shouldn’t be ignored.

7. Suicide threats or attempts. Never take talk of suicide lightly. Teachers are required by law to report students who discuss suicide to authorities.

BE AWARE: Know the warning signs of emotional stress and when it’s time to seek help — for yourself or someone else.

5 signs of emotional pain

These five signs and symptoms may mean someone is in emotional pain and needs help. These signs are also identified by Healthy365. If you’re the one experiencing these symptoms, seek help. If it’s someone else, you may need to seek help for them.

1. Personality changes. Mood swings are common, especially in teenagers. However, a sudden change in personality may signal a bigger problem.

2. Agitation. You may realize that you’re uptight or agitated, but sometimes someone else may sense it sooner than you do.

3. Withdrawal. The opposite of becoming agitated is completely withdrawing from normal activities. Stress can cause either symptom.

4. Poor self-care. This one is especially easy to spot if someone is always neat and well-groomed, and then stops caring how they look.

5. Hopelessness. Never ignore this feeling if it is evident in yourself or someone else.

McClain writes from Greenwood, Ind. Tom J. Bechman contributed to this story.