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Manage Stress and Anxiety During Drought

A resource for agricultural producers, farmers, ranchers and their families

Understanding Drought’s Impact on Agriculture

Drought is one of the most persistent and psychologically demanding stressors facing Colorado’s agricultural producers. Unlike a sudden disaster, drought unfolds slowly — eroding financial stability, straining relationships, and challenging a producer’s sense of identity and purpose. Recognizing the mental and behavioral health effects of drought is the first step toward building resilience and seeking support.

How drought affects mental health

  • Chronic stress from financial uncertainty, crops and livestock losses, and unpredictable water availability.
  • Grief and loss — including loss of land, livestock, family legacy, and way of life.
  • Increased anxiety and worry about the future of the operation and family livelihood.
  • Depression, withdrawal, and feelings of hopelessness or helplessness.
  • Sleep disturbances, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating.
  • Irritability and conflict in family and business relationships.
  • Loss of identity and purpose — farming and ranching are not just jobs; they define who producers are.

Drought creates a feedback loop:

  • Environmental stress → Financial strain → Emotional strain → Reduced capacity to cope.
A couple of examples:
  • Crop failure → income loss → anxiety → sleep disruption → poor decision-making → more stress
  • Herd reduction → loss of livelihood/identity → grief → depression

Drought’s impact across the operation

  • Reduced crop yields and pasture productivity.
  • Livestock herd liquidation — an especially painful and financially destabilizing decision.
  • Increased input costs (water, feed, irrigation) with reduced revenue.
  • Soil degradation and long-term land health concerns.
  • Loss of generational investment and family heritage.

Practical strategies for managing stress during drought

  • Stay connected — reach out to neighbors, fellow producers, and your local Extension office; isolation worsens stress.
  • Acknowledge what you can control — focus energy on decisions within your power (water management, alternative crops, livestock adjustments).
  • Take breaks from stressors— plan short, intentional respites away from the operation.
  • Maintain routines — a consistent daily structure supports mental stability.
  • Talk about it — share concerns with a trusted friend, family member, or advisor; silence amplifies stress.
  • Seek Financial, agronomic, stress management, and guidance — connect with USDA Farm Service Agency, NRCS, CSU Extension agents, and financial counselors for concrete planning support.
  • Limit news and social media consumption about drought conditions, as it can increase anxiety.

Supporting family wellbeing during drought

  • Children and teenagers can be affected too — they sense family stress and may show behavioral changes at school or home; maintain open, age-appropriate conversations.
  • Spouses and partners carry shared emotional burdens — check in with each other regularly and avoid assuming the other is “managing it”.
  • Multigenerational farms face additional tension — communicate openly about operational decisions and long-term plans across generations.
  • Model healthy coping — children learn stress management by watching adults; demonstrating help-seeking behavior is a strength, not a weakness.
  • Maintain family traditions and routines where possible — stability matters during uncertain times.

When to reach out for help

Seeking support is a sign of strength, not weakness. Consider reaching out to a behavioral health professional if you or someone you know experiences:

  • Persistent sadness, hopelessness, or inability to find enjoyment in daily life.
  • Difficulty functioning at work or caring for the farm/ranch.
  • Increased use of alcohol or substances to cope.
  • Withdrawal from family, friends, or community.
  • Thoughts of self-harm or suicide — if in crisis, call or text 988 (Suicide & Crisis Lifeline) immediately.

Building long-term resilience

  • Develop a drought management plan before the next dry cycle — scenario planning reduces reactive stress.
  • Connect with peer networks — producer groups, commodity associations, and Extension programs offer shared knowledge and emotional solidarity.
  • Invest in your identity beyond the operation — hobbies, community involvement, and faith communities provide stability when the farm is under pressure.
  • Accept that asking for help — financial, agronomic, or emotional — is part of being a skilled, experienced producer.

Resources for Colorado Agricultural Producers

References
  • AgriSafe Network. (2025, November 12). Digital directory for finding counselors trained in agricultural issues. AgriSafe Network. https://www.agrisafe.org
  • American Farm Bureau Federation. (2023). Farm State of Mind. https://www.fb.org/initiative/farm-state-of-mind
  • Colorado Department of Agriculture & Colorado Behavioral Health Administration. (2025). 2025 Agricultural Behavioral Health Work Group Legislative Report. https://ag.colorado.gov/home/about-us/ag-behavioralhealth-work-group
  • Fetsch, R.J. (2012). Managing stress during tough times (Fact Sheet No. 10.255). Colorado State University Extension. https://extension.colostate.edu/drought-resources/individuals/
  • Iwinski, S.J., Hu, Y., Cuthbertson, C., & Rudolphi, J.M. (2026). Stress process and mental health among agricultural producers. Social Psychiatry and Psychiatric Epidemiology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00127-025-03039-3
  • Powell, M., Halbleib, M.L., Rothwell, D.W., Reznicek, C. (2026). Farmers and ranchers: The stress and anxiety fueled by climate change, and interventions that could help. Health Affairs, 45(5), 562-569. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2025.01726
  • SAMHSA. (2023). Disaster distress helpline and rural mental health resources. https:\disasterdistress.samhsa.gov
  • U.S. Drought Monitor. (2024). Colorado drought conditions summary. https:\www. droughtmonitor.unl.edu