Are You Okay? – Mental Health Checks

“This is a crazy world that we live in.” That would include shocking events, catastrophes, personal challenges, stress, and anxiety. All of that is true. However, I think that this would have been something that I would have said 6 months or even 6 years ago and pictured completely different things. In terms of where we are at today, that statement seems like a bit of an understatement.

I will own up to the fact that I am a worrier. It is genetically hard-wired. I worry about the day to day things in life. I worry about how my own actions affect others. I worry about how events, occurrences and happenings affect those around me, including my clients, friends, family, and community. If I am not worrying about something specific, I am worrying that I have missed something that I should be worrying about. I am not blaming my ancestors or relatives for giving me a personality trait that can be challenging to manage in everyday life. I know that it serves me well, as it makes me perhaps more cognizant of peoples’ needs and struggles. It keeps me hyper-aware of potential issues. It pushes me to evaluate each situation (my own or that of others).

As a result of the aforementioned trait, I tend to be a bit anxious and, emotionally, I can be a bit up and down. However, the current world situation has me more anxious than usual. People are under a tremendous amount of stress and pressure. The other day, I was watching one of the Government of Alberta’s daily COVID-19 updates, to stay informed, not as a pick me up. The focus of that update was the augmentation of various mental health supports and services that they acknowledged was necessary in the current climate. They showed the results of a poll or survey that showed that 74% of those surveyed (representing the norm in Alberta, I guess) had elevated levels of anxiety, stress, worry and concern over their future (in range of areas). It was unsettling, but not terribly surprising.

Some of the pressure that people are feeling is self-imposed. Some has been imposed upon them. Regardless of the source of the pressure, it is there. It does not take much to push people over that mental and emotional precipice, resulting in a rapid and sudden decline. We need to own that and recognize that it is affecting us and those that we care about. And I believe that we need to make conscious steps to help buoy people up.

So, what can we/you/I do about it? Well, we cannot solve the pandemic on our own (other than doing our part to flatten the curve), but we can certainly step up and be there for others. We need to recognize that people are struggling, some more than others. Take a moment and think of those around you in your industry. Reach out and let them know that you are there. Send a text. Give them a call. Send an email. Engage with them in some way. Just let them know that you are thinking about them. It will lift THEM up. It will lift YOU up.

For the public, as horticultural producers, you have an opportunity to provide products and services that can brighten peoples’ lives. I know that the things that you grow are more important to people that perhaps they had realized a few months ago. It is important for you to understand the impact that you can and will have on them. I hope that that lightens the load for you.

What is the point of all of this? If you are struggling yourself, do not stay alone and in the dark. Take care of yourself. Reach out for help and support. You are not alone. If you consider the fact that there are billions of people on this planet and most don’t know you, statistically, there is a percentage of people that do know you and do care about you. And it is bigger than you think.

Here are some different mental health supports and resources out there in case you (or someone you know) need them.