Drought and flooding. Long, lonely hours. Shifting federal policies. Uncertainty about tariffs. Rising expenses for fuel, feed and fertilizer coupled with tighter margins. Simply put, it’s stressful to be a farmer or rancher.

The rural lifestyle in the Upper Midwest has long had its ups and downs that date back to pioneer times. Yet the stressors can add up quickly when facing headwinds such as damaging weather events, a volatile ag market, and unexpected, expensive machinery breakdowns.

The Farm & Rural Stress Hotline is available for farmers, ranchers and people who live in rural communities 24 hours a day. Just call 800-691-4336.

The call is free and confidential. The hotline is staffed by trained assessment counselors who put callers in touch with local mental health resources.

People in rural areas often have a pull-yourself-up-by-your-own-bootstraps mindset and are reluctant to reach out for help due to the longstanding stigma that is often associated with both acknowledging the need for and seeking help for mental illness.

This sense of resiliency and independence helps them to be successful on the farm or ranch but becomes an impediment to seeking help. We want to share a message of hope with those who may be struggling: You are not alone, and help is available. Anyone can need help, even short term, coping with life’s pressures.

Anxiety and depression are among the top diagnoses in behavioral health conditions. Approximately 19% of adults experience an anxiety disorder in any given year, and over 8% of adults have had at least one major depressive episode. And 100% of people deal with feelings of anxiety and depression or sadness from time to time.

Anxiety is marked by symptoms like:

• Excessive worry and nervousness

• Feeling tense, restless or on edge

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Irritability or mood swings

• Fear of impending disaster or doom

• Avoidance of situations that trigger anxiety

• Difficulty sleeping

Anxiety may also present physical symptoms such as a rapid heart rate, sweating, shakiness and tremors, shortness of breath, muscle tension, headaches, upset stomach and chest pain or tightness.

Significant episodes of depression are more intense and prolonged than typical sadness, perhaps to the point of being overwhelming. Other common symptoms include:

• Sleeping problems — too much or too little

• Change in eating habits — either more or less

• Trouble concentrating

• Lack of energy and motivation

• Loss of interest in work, family, friends and things you used to enjoy

• Irritability

• Feelings of worthlessness, helplessness and hopelessness

• Physical symptoms such as body aches, back aches or headaches

• Thoughts of suicide

People may call the hotline for various reasons: fear, sadness, anxiety, hopelessness, helplessness, guilt, feeling overwhelmed or isolated and more. Or, you can start with a conversation with your primary care provider, who can refer you to the right level of care.

— Debbie Streier is regional president/CEO at Avera Marshall Regional Medical Center