What a fascinating survey coming out of Scotland. In short, “over 60% of rural professionals had found themselves in a situation where farmers have expressed signs of poor mental health – yet only 11% had enough knowledge or confidence to respond, with vets emerging as the profession most farmers would prefer to confide in.”
I believe we all have purpose beyond our technical skills and trade. For anyone in a service industry, caregivers, or simply in a business that involves relationships rooted in trust, your work and your empathy has life-giving (and life saving) potential. I’m guilty of getting caught up in the day-to-day and the push to stay on schedule. I have a whole list of stories of farm calls where I know in my heart that a person needed me far more than the animal.
Earlier in my career, I was called out to examine a goat that was lethargic, lying around, and had a poor appetite. I would later determine that she was burdened with intestinal parasites – an ailment all too common on pasture in the southeast USA. The client was in his 70s, and a Vietnam veteran. When I pulled up to the farm, he was sitting on the tailgate of his truck just looking out into the pasture at his goats. It was June, the grass was tall and blowing in the breeze, the skies were clear and sun was comfortably warm – a beautiful day. I sensed that he was a bit overcome by something, his greeting was just more subdued than in past visits. I propped up against the tailgate and we made some small talk about the weather. He would go on to tell me how he just cannot stand his animals to hurt, and that he doesn’t really make any money on his goats, he just enjoys taking care of them. He was glad I could help him do that. He would delve deeper into how calming they can be just to sit and watch, particularly when the kids are born in early spring. He told me that today, he had just been sitting out there thinking, trying to clear his head. He did that quite a bit. He and his wife of many years had just divorced. He would tell me about his time in Vietnam, about how he has trouble sleeping, his diabetes, his poor blood pressure. I would learn that these goats and the few folks he runs into down at the local convenience store are his few connections with other living beings. He told me he has just had some bad days and that he sits on that tailgate with his pistol wondering if he wants to continue on in this world. “But these goats…these goats need me” – I can remember him saying.
I shared with him how important he was to me and thanked him for being so dedicated to the care and comfort of his animals. I asked him if when his next appointment was at the VA and if he thought his divorce and stress might be a good thing to mention to his doctor. I told him about my own struggles with depression and let him know that I am available he ever needs someone to talk with, that we can overcome these dark times, that we don’t have to go at it alone – despite how much we don’t like to burden others.
Two hours passed before I knew what had happened. I called him the next day to “check in on the goat”. The following day, I left him a voicemail. He called me back, he missed my call while he was at his doctor appointment at the VA. I can only hope the details of our conversation were discussed. I still take care of his goats, and his cows from time to time. I bump into him when I’m fueling up every so often at the gas station. His greeting has come with a smile since that day. We’ve never made another mention of that day. I can only hope that his days out of the darkness outnumber those that I know have plagued him.
Sometimes a quick exam just offers peace of mind, but other times I end up listening to a personal story that lasts much longer than an exam. Sometimes the animal is the straw that broke the camels back, and my ears catch the offloading of what life has thrown at someone recently. I care for animals, maybe you do as well, or maybe for someone’s finances, dental care, eye care, vehicle, plumbing, electrical needs, you name it. We’re not all that different. We’re all in the people profession and are provided an opportunity to listen, and maybe make a difference.
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