There was a farmer who went to the doctor with psychological problems. He was advised to go on holiday for a while. Worthless tip, he thought. Take free? That is not possible at all if it is busy on the farm.
There was a farmer who would never seek help, because he knew for sure that it would not solve anything.
A farmer who did not know that you can go to the doctor if you suffer from psychological problems.
And the two farmers who could no longer participate in the study, because their own struggle was too large.
The GGD IJsselland, commissioned by the province of Overijssel, conducted two years of research into the mental health of farmers and gardeners in the region. Men of middle age run a higher risk anyway, but many studies show that there is more to farmers. They experience more psychological pressure than average and find it difficult to find good help. Loneliness also plays a role, just like the poor image that farmers have in some parts of society.
The idea of the researchers was to come to solutions together with farmers and experts and then to take action together with care workers. But first they encountered a known problem, says GGD researcher Annelot van Rooij: It was difficult to find farmers who wanted to talk.
When Ida Besten started to participate, it started to walk. She is a farmer’s wife, Overijssel, and was a psychiatric nurse. She made the podcast Peasant In which farmers talk about their lives. When his messages went to send messages in app groups, farmers wanted to cooperate.
In the end, 174 farmers participated in researchthat became public early this year. Now Ida Besten is sitting at the kitchen table on her farm, together with Annelot van Rooij, to tell about their research.
Why do farmers so often have psychological problems?
Best: “Farmers are able to think: it is hard to be able to handle a lot. On a farm you deal with life and death. With the seasons, weather conditions, climate change. But when it comes to your personal life, then the thought is often: it will naturally resolve. It is of course always about all kinds of facets that there are also a lot of farmers experienced.”
Van Rooij: “A farmer in the study gave an example that I had stayed with me. He had a few sick cows. He had put them apart from the other animals in the meadow, at the front of the farm, so that he had a better view of it. Then people came to ring the bell that he did not take care of his animals, while he did everything to make him better.”
How big is the role of the family, that everything takes place at home?
Besten: “We have two daughters and a son, a little older now. One of our daughters has said:” Gosh, there is only talk about nitrogen here, can we still talk about something else? ” That was a signal for us that we should not convey our uncertainty and fear that. “
Van Rooij: “Everything is intertwined on such a farm. A number of farmers also said to me: you just go to the office, to your colleagues who might ask you how you are doing and whether you are not too busy. On the farm it will always continue.”
The phone rings. Ida Besten records, says nothing, but runs out the door. It appears to be an automatic message from the milking robot. One of the buckets with milk that needs to be kept apart is full. Peter, her husband, was already there. Slightly panting, she sits down again.
In the investigation, a farmer’s wife says that her husband needs help, but that she doesn’t get him to the doctor.
Best: “It is super difficult to change that. If you are used to something for years, perhaps shout yourself, then it will not be possible to get rid of it. There is sufficient help and guidance, but they often do not know where to find.”
Van Rooij: “And the help you get if you do go still has to join your world. A doctor who does not understand what your company works, what your life looks like, he can’t help you. Especially if you have already raised a wall yourself.”
You write that ‘to a limited extent’ has succeeded in giving general practitioners to penetrate what problems farmers have to do with.
Van Rooij: “It would be good if there was more cooperation between general practitioners, mental health care and more specialist help for farmers. You have various auxiliary telephone lines for farmers and gardeners who have mental complaints, but also inheritance coaches who come home to people. Veterinarians see a lot, but have little contact with others. consultation room when he comes with back problems, it is pretty sensible to ask how life is doing. ”
Best: “It is also with the farmers themselves. It is good to know that there is a practice assistant for mental health care at the doctor. I was struggling with my ears when I heard that many people had no idea.”
That is not just a problem with farmers, right?
Best: “Farmers are not a unique type of human, but they do have their own profession, with separate professional terms, a special culture and background. It is simply useful if doctors have a little more feeling about it. Otherwise a farmer will turn off faster.”
You advise you to make farmers more resilient as an entrepreneur and to relieve them practically. What does that mean in practice?
Van Rooij: “That someone helps at the company if De Boer can no longer get strong, for example in the event of illness or mourning. It is good if it is clear who can help and how. And it is also about building up a company that does not swallow all your energy. If you make an investment, do you have to think for a moment: does this make me energy, or does it not?”
Besten: “For example, we opted for a milking robot because Peter likes to eat with us at the table. That he does not always have to leave. That makes us stronger as a family. But it is also about making a plan for when it goes less: what do you do if it doesn’t work? Can you let go of growth, and where do you still get your motivation if it happens?
It is all very loaded when it comes to the business succession by the children.
Van Rooij: “Yes, in the study, farmers always mentioned that as a difficult period. Parents want to leave it right, children sometimes want to change while their parents are still walking around at the company.”
Besten: “We have two daughters. One is a bit more GroenLinks-Minded and in her studies also investigate the healthy living environment. Our other daughter is a neuroscientist and our son wants to take over the company. We have only had a long conversation as a family about that. Because you know that you have to give the company successor more in what you leave.”
That must have been an exciting conversation.
Besten: “You want to do well for everyone. And now that the Farming existence is uncertain because of all the nitrogen rules, it is very exciting. It was a very loving conversation. They were open to each other’s views. The son wants farmers and a good income to live from. The daughters asked how he would take the environment in which we had time for ourselves. That conversation: this will be fine. “