From Our Fields to Our Friends: Focusing on Mental Health Together

Fall is a lovely time of the year to see the changing of the seasons. Our views widen as leaves fall from the trees making it easier to notice items that did not appear obvious before. Perhaps we can see bigger changes in our neighbours and neighbourhoods as well. Those changes can indicate a shift in thoughts, emotions, or finances. Not all those shifts are negative, but if we overlook the changes in our view, we may overlook a friend or neighbor in need of help and care.

Changes in home or farmyard: As you gaze through your kitchen window over a cup of tea or as you drive into town tomorrow, take a closer look at what’s around you. Are there significant changes happening to a once lovely, well-maintained farmstead or home? Maybe it appears that funds are tight or tender care of a once loved domain has shifted. Often a sign of depression is displayed as a lack of maintenance in a home or farmyard. A lack of motivation can also be a new trait in someone who is feeling the black shadow of depression. You are not a prying neighbour when you take the time to simply ask, “How are you feeling?” or “Could you use a hand with that fencing project?”

Altered sleep patterns: Another sign that may appear to you as our fall views expand, could be altered sleep patterns. Have you heard the usually early morning neighbor mention not being able to sleep at night? Is that friend suddenly unable to get out of bed in the morning or moves through their day exhausted due to a lack of sleep? Asking, “what’s on your mind these days?” could be the conversation starter needed for that person to unburden themselves. A supportive ear from you could make a tremendous difference in relieving stress or anxiety weighing on someone else.

Physical or mental changes: As our days shorten and there is less daylight in our lives, we can feel the changes physically and mentally. Have you noticed significant changes in someone you care about? Offering for that person to take a walk with you and start a new habit could be beneficial for both of you. Fresh air and friendly conversation can be uplifting to many with anxiety or depression on their shoulders! If we have friends with substantial weight loss or gain, we can see the physical signs that might signal an unseen mental change too.

Sobriety: Have you noticed a friend who is normally a “one drink Mandy,” now struggling with sobriety? Self-medicating may be seen as a solution by those using it, but it is not a long-term fix for their health and well-being. Substance abuse can start small but can increase feelings of depression or anxiety if left unchecked. Noticing these changes in your friends and asking how they’re doing could lead them to find help and hope.

Building support within our communities: Let us think about the ways we can build support in our communities for mental health, not only in the month of October, which is Mental Health Month in rural areas, but also how to have that support network ready year-round.

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