Role of Rural Nursing and Poor Mental Health Outcomes in Farmers

Question: Describe about the Role of Rural Nursing and Poor Mental Health Outcomes in Farmers? Answer: Introduction Farmer has been related with a unique combination of features since a long duration of time that have the potential of promoting higher rate of satisfaction with respect to quality of living amongst humans in Australia. However, irrespective of the risks involved for having physical injuries and death by accidents, farmers have been identified to be subjected to several social stressors, economic factors, climatic factors, and environmental factors that may result in influencing their well- being along with their mental stability and health (McAllister 2009). In this context, this paper will be discussing the reasons due to which farmers have instable mental health and what role is played by rural nursing in order to solve this problem in Australia. Mental Health of Farmers There is clarity in the fact that a number of farmers may be having unrecognised conditions of mental health, the most common condition involve the state of anxiety and depression. In addition to the serious effects of anxiety or depression, continuous and regular psychological factors of stress can have a significant impact on the potential of farmers for working and managing their activities on daily basis (Dulhunty 2005). These factors also involve exhaustion, lack of concentration, impacts of alcohol or medication, lack of adequate energy and indecision. However, it is important to know that what are the main reasons why these mental conditions take place in the lives of farmers? The causes as to why certain farmers end up feeling that they do not hold the ability and strength to cope, suffering negative mental outcomes, or cases of suicide can be considered as being extremely complicated (Fragar 2007). Due to the involvement of mental problems, there has been a decline in establishments of agriculture since the year 1996. (Fig: Decline in Agricultural Establishments in Australia 1996-2005) (Source: Jackson and Stevenson 2010) There are a number of factors and reasons that pressurize the farmers in a significant manner. These factors are related to lack of financial support, inappropriate weather conditions, meeting the requirements of government, family issues, and several other such reasons (Komiti 2006). The pressures of finance on farmers affect them continuously. Irrespective of the growth in the level of production in the entire duration of 1960 to 2000, there has been a declining trend in the value of these productions. This contributes in indicating that there is continuous economic pressure for maintenance of viable business organizations in agriculture. (Fig: Farmers Terms of Trade in Australia: 1962-2006) (Source: McAllister 2009) Role of Rural Nurses in Mental Health Awareness and Promotion Rural nurses are known to be completely aware of the stress involved in the occupation of farming. The role of rural nurses can be understood with respect to their activities of intervention. These interventions focus on a number of aspects that have a major impact on the mental and physical health of farmers (Meszaros 2012). These can include ensuring appropriate habits of personal hygiene, appropriate number of hours given to sleep, maintaining a balance diet, and avoiding the consumption of alcohol or any other toxic elements. Nurses also play the role of making psychosocial interventions that involve provision of certain therapies. These therapies are important for spreading mental health awareness amongst farmers and their families such as family therapy and therapy of cognitive behaviour (Moyle 2006). The application of these interventions can be done to a wide range of issues that include anxiety, depression and psychosis. In addition to this, nurses also play the role of spiritual interventions that focus on looking at distress and mental illness of farmers from the dimensions of crisis in spirituality (Tonna 2008). Thus, by the performance of these functions, nurses create a focus on the development of sense, hope and purpose amongst the farmers so that they understand their value for themselves, their families and the economy as well. Rural nurses perform these activities by involving the element of empathy and understanding. These elements contribute in the reinforcement of positive mental balance amongst the farmers (Tucker 2006). Nurses focus to ensure that understanding is conveyed in a significant manner that makes the farmer feel valuable that has a major positive impact on the mental health of farmers. Conclusion As a concluding point, it can be stated that farmers face the problems of mental illness mainly due to their harsh and unsafe working environment, and different factors present in the economy, environment, and the society. However, rural nurses play a significant role in spreading awareness of mental health to ensure stability of mental health in farmers (Videbeck 2008). Promotion and awareness of mental health is the main problem that has to be focused on by the rural nurses while dealing with the farmers. References Dulhunty, G. 2005. The lived experience of rural mental health nurses, Online Journal of Rural Nursing and Healthcare, 5(1), pp. 56. Fragar, L. 2007. Stronger Farm Families: Farm Family Business Project. In press. Jackson, S, and Stevenson, K. 2010. "What do people need psychiatric and mental health nurses for?." Journal of Advanced Nursing, 31(2), pp. 378-388. Komiti, A. 2006. 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