Watch for signs of depression and suicide

Tough economic times are a crucial reason why dairy producers should be extra vigilant for signs of depression and suicide among family members and friends, said Colorado State University Extension specialist Robert Fetsch at the Western Dairy Management Conference March 12 and 13.

Farming already ranks as one of the 12 most stressful occupations in America according to the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, but Fetsch warned that economic downturns only make the risk worse.

Nationally, the U.S. suicide rate is 11 per year per 100,000 of population. But in Rocky Mountain and Western states it is usually much higher. Montana leads the nation at 22 per 100,000; Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming and Colorado are all over 17.

Fetsch noted that men are roughly five times more likely to commit suicide than women, and by far the most at-risk group of all are white men age 70 and older – particularly if their wife has recently died.

Depression, anger, sleep disorders, violence, prolonged exhaustion, change in routine, decline in appearance of the farm, eating irregularities, and increased drinking of alcohol are just a few of the many signs of chronic, prolonged stress that is a leading precursor to suicidal thinking. Fetsch said children are often the “canaries” that first show signs of stress in a family, but the best barometer of all may be the daughters-in-law.

“Depression is the “common cold” of modern psychology,” he explained. “The most effective cure is a combination of taking good care of yourself, exercise, counseling, and medication.”

He implored anyone who suspects signs of depression or suicidal thinking in a family member, friend, or themself to get help or a referral to local resources by calling 1-800-SUICIDE (operated 24/7).

Reno conference attendance surprised some observers

With today's dairy economy, organizers and participants at the big bi-annual Western Dairy Management Conference weren't sure what to expect. After all, the March 11 through 13 conference came right on the heels of World Ag Expo at Tulare where there seemed to be a relatively small turnout of dairy producers.

Attendance at WDMC 2009 ended up being in the range of 1,450. This was down, perhaps, only 150 or so from the 2007 Reno conference. It was an attendance number that pleased organizers and others at the conference, considering the losses that many dairy producers are experiencing these days and the tightening operating and travel budgets of many in the agribusiness and public agency communities.

Conference co-chair John Smith with Kansas State University thought that perhaps the proportion of the WDMC audience who actually were dairy producers may have been down a bit from recent years. Nearly all sessions of the 2-1/2-day conference were well attended. Plus, there seems to be a growing number of dairy meetings held in Reno the same week since so many people attend WDMC.

Many of the presenters at this year's conference took extra pains to include a lot of information in their proceedings papers, making the proceedings a valuable reference. To order copies, go to the conference website www.wdmc.org.