Cape
Girardeau County
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Rural Families Facing Stress Because of Economic Woes
Record low commodity prices and low crop yields along with high production costs are putting the financial pinch on area farm families. The impact on some individuals and families may have reached crisis situations. For others, the short-run situation is severe but is manageable in the long run.
Many rural families may find it difficult to admit they suffer stress overload as a result of significant loss or economic turndown. Some who realize the severity of their stressors fail to see how it could affect family and individual well-being. University of Missouri Extension has a Farm Family Income Recovery Support Team who have been identified to work effectively with families and individuals who exhibit emotional trauma and stress overload. Call your Cape Girardeau County Extension Office at 573-243-3581 and ask for information.
The right amount of stress is good for us, it adds flavor and excitement to our lives. Many people do their best work under pressure or tight deadlines. But like everything else, there needs to be a balance. Harvard University researchers have determined that moderate levels of stress serve to get us going, but high levels of stress over a long period of time tend to paralyze us and reduce productivity.
Evaluating Individual and Family Well-Being
Just as it is important to determine the farm=s fiscal progress before designing an appropriate management strategy, it is important to identify symptoms that can help determine family or individual needs. Signs that an individual or family is experiencing high stress overload and the person or family is in crisis are:
Noticeable changes in individual or family behavior
-extreme changes in physical appearance (become very sloppy or a another change)
-withdrawal from routine or unusually outgoing behavior
-changes in routine (church attendance stops, no more visits to coffee shop)
Children are exhibiting emotional or social problems in school
-grades drop
-children withdraw from friends
-seek attention from teachers
-fail to follow school rules
-skip school
Shows signs of suicide
-has no concern for family
-plans closure like buying a burial plot, life insurance, writes a will, or mends friendships
-withdrawn (spends more time alone)
-shows drastic weight change (either up or down)
-keeps feelings pent up, appears not to hurt
-conversation shows no future ideas or plans
-talks about suicide
Some folks are currently suffering economic, personal and family stress but will recover in the long run. Effective communication, problem solving, and stress management skills could help these individuals and families weather the storm. Families and individuals showing signs of high stress overload need someone to listen, someone who cares, and someone who will help. The Chinese word for crisis is made up of the characters for danger and opportunity. The opportunity may be ours to help others who exhibit the above characteristics or help ourselves to avoid danger.
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University of Missouri Extension Cape Girardeau County capeco@missouri.edu 573-243-3581 Last revised: 08/14/2008 |
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