“You’ve been further west than they have sis, keep em going.” This phrase was a frequent flyer around my house, most commonly used by my dad. He swears it has been passed down, and my “grandan” (great grandpa) said these words to him as dad was in some of the wildest moments. For instance: putting a first ride on a colt, doctoring a mean momma cow, or as they flew through the fields in their hunting trucks to catch coyotes.
I never questioned this sentence because I was so familiar with it. Somehow every time I heard it, I found the strength to complete whatever task was at hand! This was the best mechanism to pick myself up through any stressful situation and keep pushing. It is very similar to “rubbing dirt” on the wound, although that does not technically make the wound feel better. The thought of being “too weak” to withstand the injury (no matter the severity) is much more scary than just getting the proper supplies to clean out the scrapes and bruises.
The physical aspect of avoiding proper care is much the same as the mental side. Farmers and ranchers are less likely to seek support than the average individual, this is caused mainly by stigma that has been passed down for generations. Most producers believe that they are less than just because of the stress they face, but the hard truth is everyone struggles with stress. Therefore, no one is less than just because of the challenges they encounter, because everyone else is crossing paths with the same issues.
If more rural communities came to terms with their weaknesses, then they would be more probable to reach out when help is needed. Being confident enough to avoid shame when times get tough is exactly the kind of sustainability necessary. I wish there was a switch I could flip to reverse the set in stone ideas of what it takes to be considered an asset to this industry. Despite me not being able to fix this with the snap of my fingers, we can work towards becoming more familiar with the importance of good mental health. More than anything, no matter the position you are in do not forget that you have been further west than any setback has in store.
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