Farmers focus on the health of their stock But the fourth leg to a successful dairy business is the wellbeing of farmers and farm workers land m achinery The pressures of farming are not small ID: 268305
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Slide1
The Resilient Farmer Slide2
Farmers focus on the health of their
stock
But the fourth leg to a successful dairy
business is the wellbeing of farmers and farm workers
land
machinery Slide3
The pressures of farming are not small…
Nutrient
Limitations
Water LimitationsHealth & Safety regulationsVolatile milk price
Volatile weatherIntense workloadHigh debt levelsHigh staff turnoverIsolation Negative public perceptionsFarming in a fishbowl
Therefore, we must be RESILIENTSlide4
Definition of Resilience
Resilience is often described as a personal quality that predisposes individuals to bounce back in the face of
challenge or loss
. Resilient leaders, however, do more than bounce back—they bounce forward. Slide5
Resilience means…
Understanding change and
constantly learning
Budgeting well when cash flow is goodKnowing all critical indicators Spending time on only what’s importantCelebrating wins
Regularly cultivating networksSlide6
Where do we get the strength to do this?
We keep ourselves
well
Resilient leaders make time for activities that revitalise them
PhysicallyEmotionallySpirituallyIntellectually- Personal renewal generates the energy needed to be
sharp in the face of challenges and change. Slide7
World Health Organisation Definition o
f
WELLNESSSlide8
Wellness is directly related to stress
Good Stress
(Eustress): F
osters challenge and motivationExcessive Stress: Mostly creates negative feelingsBurnout: Emotional
, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged excessive stress. Mental Illness: Disorganisation of the mind, and emotions so that normal functioning is impaired.Suicidal: The lack of will to liveSlide9
Prolonged stress causes…
H
igh blood pressure
Depression
Anxiety
Heart Disease
A weakened immune systemBody aches and joint weaknessInability to concentrate or complete tasks
Inability to make decisionsInability to stick to a plan Let’s look at what we’re seeing with farmers…Slide10
Findings- Phase One- 2011-2013
DairyNZ
Health Pitstop Data
14% farmers reported high/very high total burnt out scores32%
reported pain that interfered with their work (backs, knees, shoulders)
57% male farmers have high blood pressure
41% all farmers have high cholesterol (referred to GP) Disease (cancer, cardiovascular, diabetes, respiratory) all highest for rural populations
2. Suicide Statistics (Walker, 2012; Tipples and Greenhalgh, 2012)25 rural deaths per year (19.5/100000, 50% higher than urban population)
Estimated
20-180 attempted suicides/
yr
No
. 2 behind motor vehicle related deaths, twice that of farm vehicle deaths
Peaks
in spring (August) and
Autumn
(Feb-May
)Slide11
Farmer Survey
(Nielson 2014)
Farmers are 31% more concerned about the impact of stress on their health than the general population
23% more farmers compared to the general population worry about work all the time67% more farmers compared to the general population agree that “life is a constant struggle”… 67% more!Slide12
Farmer Leaders’ Thoughts
(collected at Dairy Environment Leader’s Forum 9/12/2014)
As a group, they saw the toughest pressures as…
WorkloadFinancial Regulations/LimitationsOutside Perception
What did they think were driving these?Workload- Lack of investment into people and time managementFinancial- Making ill informed decisions/unaware of the skills needed to run a farm business successfullyRegulations/Limitations- Government/law/corporate responsibility Outside Perception- Media Slide13
Wrap up the situation
Too much stress can cause mental illness
We/farmers have more than a normal amount of stress
This stress can be good and help us to thrive IF we are resilientWe/farmers are concerned about our stress levelsWe are presenting with mental and physical illnessesThe high pressures of farming are not going to go away
What is the solution?Slide14
Wellbeing/Resilience can be improved
50% G
enetics
10% What happens to you40% how you choose to
deal with it
Lyubomirsky, Sonja; Sheldon, Kennon M.; Schkade
, David (2005) Pursuing happiness: The architecture of sustainable change. Review of General Psychology, Vol 9(2),
111-131Slide15
Wellness takes TIME
“He who does not make time for wellness will eventually be forced to take time for illness.”Slide16
Illness in the “working” world= Burnout
Burnout
=The experience of long-term
exhaustion and diminishedinterest due to the difficulty of managing multiple responsibilities.
Often leads to cynicism and eventually to physical and mental breakdown.Slide17
The Burnout Scale
1- Thriving
- Surrounded by successes, alert, active, positive, excited about possibilities, rarely sick, no need
for coffee or alcohol. 2- Achieving- On top of things and motivated but tired and/or forgetful, get the flu a few times a year, need pick me ups a few times a week.3. Surviving-
Managing most things but dropping a few balls, often disinterested, irritable, and rely on caffeine and or alcohol daily.4. Burning Out- Not keeping up with responsibilities, overwhelmed, lacking confidence, belligerent, relationships failing, sick a lot.5. Burnt Out- Have lost mobility and/or grip on realitySlide18
Time Management
People Management
Be Safe & Have a Plan
Rest & Take Notice
Be Active & Eat Well
Connect & Give
Keep Learning
Here is what works …
(aligned with MHF principles based on UK Foresight project)Slide19
When you know something is wrong…
If you
think someone is on their way to burnout or depression…
Be on their side- let them talk!Show understanding and sympathy Don’t judge them Avoid offering advice
Avoid making comparisonsDon’t try to minimise their pain or act like it’s not a big dealIf you are worried someone may already be depressed…Encourage them to speak to their health practitioner Encourage them to talk to someone about it. These numbers are good…
Rural Support Trust 0800 787 254
Depression helpline 0800 111 757If you are worried someone is suicidal…Get professional help. Do everything in your power to get a suicidal person the help he or she needs. Call a crisis line for advice and referrals. Encourage the person to see a mental health professional, help locate a treatment facility, or take them to a doctor's
appointment.These are the numbers to call…Samaritans 0800 726 666Lifeline 0800 543 354Slide20
Key Messages
Farming is stressful and these stresses aren’t going away
Therefore we must
learn to be resilient and sharpThis means we must keep ourselves well To keep well we must…Be safe and have a planRest and Take NoticeBe Active and Eat WellKeep Learning
Connect and Give We also need to help each other stay well by being aware and helping when needed