Break the Cycle: why farmers are more at risk of burnout

Today’s fast-paced, high-pressured work enviroment is starting to take its toll with more and more employees reporting that they are feeling overwhelmed and exhausted.

In some cases, this is leading to burnout – now an official medical diagnosis, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

However, one group are considered at a much higher risk for developing mental issues – farmers.

In Ireland, one in four farmers face burnout, as the job is high-pressure and demanding, which in turn carries numerous risks and stressors.

“The latest research shows that worldwide, farmers experience higher overall burnout and exhaustion compared to non-farmers,” says Dr John McNamara, Health and Safety specialist with Teagasc. “The research also shows that women (farmers) experience more burnout than men. Internationally, dairy farmers are the most affected.

“Our research shows that 12% of farmers are under ongoing stress and at risk of burnout. This is the crucial figure. These are the farmers that advisory services and health services should seek to support,” he adds.

While the escalating pressures on farmers are contributing to the accumulation of mental health risks, medical research also shows that burnout leaves people vulnerable to heart disease, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes.

“Farmers are challenged in many ways,” he says. “Unfortunately, compared to other occupational groups, they experience a disproportionate burden of health problems related to cardiovascular disease, cancers and also mental health and suicide.”

But how do doctors actually define burnout?

“Burnout is where someone is suffering from Toxic Stress for greater than three months,” says Dr Harry Barry, GP and author of the Flag series of books on mental health topics such as anxiety, depression, PTSD and addiction.

He lists nine ‘red flag’ symptoms which include:

Night surfing the web

Dr John McNamara of Teagasc reiterates Dr Barry’s tip about seeking help. “Definitely talk to your advisers to help sort out your problems – Teagasc, IFAC, farm consultants, bank officials. Those people can help you solve problems and give you an objective view,” he says.

“We, in Teagasc, also advise farmers to have regular health checks and be aware of how stress is affecting them and to talk to their GP if it is. Farmers are getting better at going to the doctor now which is good. Spending time with family and friends is also very important.”

He mentions the useful resource leaflet Sowing Seeds of Support: Positive Mental Health Guidance for the Farming Community published jointly by Teagasc and Mental Health Ireland which will signpost farmers to help, if it’s needed.

He also highlights that many people who interact with farmers – vets, advisers and co-op workers, for example – now have On Feirm Ground training. This is focused on engaging with farmers on health issues, spotting symptoms of stress and letting them know about available services.

Toxic stress

Paula King is a life coach and director of Kingstown College in Dublin and views burnout as chronic workplace stress that hasn’t been successfully managed.

“The World Health Organisation defines it as an occupational phenomenon rather than a medical condition, but whatever the classification, job burnout can affect your health.”

She defines burnout as a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity.

“It can lead to people becoming cynical about work and having to drag themselves to do it,” she says.

“It could also mean they use food, drugs or alcohol to feel better or to simply not feel.

“Then there could be unexplained headaches, stomach or bowel problems or other physical complaints too.”

She points out the difference, for her, between stress and burnout.

“Burnout may be the result of unrelenting stress but it isn’t the same as too much stress,” she says.

“Stress, by and large, involves too much; too many pressures that demand too much of you, physically and mentally. However, stressed people can still imagine that if they can just get everything under control, they’ll feel better.”

“Being burned out on the other hand means feeling empty and mentally exhausted, devoid of motivation and beyond caring. If excessive stress feels like you’re drowning in responsibilities, burnout is a sense of being all dried up.”

Personality and a person’s view of the world can also put one at increased risk of burnout, she believes.

“How you look at the world can have a big role in causing overwhelming stress, as can perfectionism and having a high-achieving, Type A personality.”

In dealing with burnout Paula suggests asking yourself:

“Burnout is an undeniable sign that something important in your life isn’t working. What are your hopes, goals and dreams? Are you neglecting something that is really important to you? This can be an opportunity to rediscover what really makes you happy and to slow down and give yourself time to rest, reflect and heal.”

Disconnecting from technology for a time each day will give you a chance to rest and rejuvenate. On the creative side, she says creativity is a powerful antidote to burnout.

“Challenge yourself to try something new, start a fun project or resume a favourite hobby, choosing activities that have nothing to do with work.”

Solutions

So if you feel you are facing burnout, what can be done?

Dr Harry Barry has three key messages – self-care, problem solving and taking time out. Self-care, he says, is the most important one and he recommends the following in relation to this:

When it comes to problem solving, Barry also suggests identifying key

problem areas and seeking solutions rather than worrying about the problems. “Write them down and tackle them one by one,” he says. “Also look for help. Seek out assistance from other farmers, your family or experts if you’re struggling with some area, such as financial worries.”

Time out is his third key tip. “Take a break with your partner when at all possible, even for short periods. The cemetery is full of busy young men who could never find the time to do so.

“Finally, organise your breaks at the start of the season and stick rigidly to them.”

Make the Moove: Make the Moove is a mental health initiative supported by FBD which started in North Tipperary Macra in 2018 to help combat and raise awareness around suicides in the farming community. Since 2018, Make the Moove has grown, offering subsided counselling, awareness talks, training and more recently a Crisis Response Team (CRT). Check out makethemoove@macra.ie or call 086-0840442

Aware: Information, support and peer groups. Freephone 1800 80 48 48, 10am to 10pm; aware.ie

Pieta: Freephone 1800 247 247, any time; pieta.ie

Text About It: A free, 24/7 service. Free-text HELLO to 50808 for an anonymous chat with a trained volunteer

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