Rural Resilience: Building Hope for Tomorrow
Transcript of Rural Resilience: Building Hope for Tomorrow
Rural Resilience: Building Hope for Tomorrow
Cynthie Christensen, RN, LPCC
September 11, 2019
Objectives:
•Gain an understanding of signs and symptoms of stress.
• Learn how to build resilience and hope.
Stigma
Stigma is a mark of disgrace that sets a person apart from others. When a person is labelled by their illness they are no longer seen as an
individual but as part of a stereotyped group. Negative attitudes and beliefs toward this group create prejudice which leads to negative
actions and discrimination.
Merriam‐Webster
Shame
Shame is the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing
we are flawed and therefore unworthy of acceptance and belonging.
Brene Brown, Ph.D., LMSW
Triangle of Awareness – Cognitive Behavior Therapy
Feelings Behavior
Thoughts
Behavioral Signs and Symptoms of Stress:
• Anxiety and worry about things you didn’t worry about before
• Loss of interest in hobbies and things you used to enjoy
• Poor concentration, confusion, forgetfulness
• Uncertainty or trouble making decisions – indecisiveness
• Wanting to withdraw from people and activities
• Increased smoking and drinking
• Negative thinking – narrowed thinking – few options
• Change in personality – especially, irritability
Physical Signs of Stress:
• Trouble sleeping – getting to sleep, waking in the night, or too early
• Changes in appetite
• Weight gain or loss
• Stomach or gastrointestinal problems
• Clenching or grinding teeth
• Chest pain, tingling in extremities, feel like can’t breath
• Poor hygiene
• Poor eye contact
In a seemingly hopeless situation, what can you do?
For yourself:
•Reach out to a loved one. Talk about how you are feeling. •Talk to your friends, clergy, or a medical provider. •Reach out to a mental health counselor.
For Someone You Know:
• Share your concerns about his/her behavior, mood, appearance, etc. Ask questions and be curious about changes you observe.
• Listen attentively and without judgement. Try to understand where they are coming from.
• Encourage them to reach out and talk to someone – friends, family, pastor, doctor, etc.
Barriers to Getting Help:
• Stigma and embarrassment in seeking professional help
• Cost of treatment ‐ inadequate mental health insurance coverage and high deductibles/copays
• Lack of awareness of mental health symptoms and need for treatment
• Disbelief that treatment is necessary
• Not knowing where to go for services or inadequate services in the community
Resilience
The ability to bounce back after hardships.
How do you get more resilient?• Connect with people and cultivate supportive relationships • Learn how to set realistic goals/plans and work to carry them out
• Gaining confidence in yourself and your abilities• Learn to communicate and problem solve
• Having the ability to manage strong emotions and stay rational
• Recognize what you can’t change and focus on what you can • Practice gratitude and positive self‐talk• Take good care of yourself – eat well, get enough sleep, do something you enjoy, relax, exercise, and reach out for help if you need it
Advantages of Farm Life/Farming in Building Resilience:
• Connected to nature
• Change is a constant. You have to learn flexibility and acceptance
• Task oriented
• Farming has value
• Builds skills
• Requires a team
• Constant learning and adapting
Teeter Totter
Rational
Thinking
Fight, Flight or Freeze
Calm
Mood
Anger, Anxiety, Fear
Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you are right.
Henry Ford
Remember that on a farm, the farmer is the most important
thing.
Hope is a Powerful Thing
You can live 2 weeks without food,
2 days without water,
2 minutes without air,
but,
it’s hard to live at all without hope.
Minnesota Resources:
• Ted Matthews, M.S., counselor and the director, Rural Mental Health Outreach for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture