Often nobody wants to milk or take on the hours and debt normally associated with succession and family land.
Sometimes they do, the debt lifts for various reasons, the bank puts pressure on to sell, then the anxiety really ramps up and suicide has been their choice because "what will dad think if I fail".
Examples:
- One very sad story I recall is where a younger farmer was battling with overwork, lack of sleep and high debt. His banker mistakenly called him in the morning and apologised and by that afternoon he was gone. The real tragedy was that his wife was easily able to remedy the farm situation and retain it as an investment.
- Leave it too late - another case many years ago was where a "salt of the earth" farmer, hung on and hung on to his farm, well into his 80s. He finally realised he could not manage it, his daughters did not want it so he was faced with selling a third generation property. He became depressed and died and what a mess there was to clean up.
Expectation:
When it is family land there is an inherent expectation handed from one generation to the next. How that is managed by the incumbent is crucial to their physical and mental survival. I often hear noise like:
- You can't sell family land
- Keep this in the family forever
- Once it is gone you will never get it back
- What will the neighbours think if I sell.
Transition
It seems like we struggle to own the farm (family land or not), struggle to run it and pay it off, struggle to sell it for many reasons and struggle to retire happily. It feels like it is a Kiwi farming bloke thing.
There are far too many suicides in the rural sector for whatever reason. Maybe some research on what is really going on in the heads of our Kiwi farming blokes might help.
Whatever way you look at it, it is around expectation, unrealised goals, family expectation, family land, often intermingled with debt and health and we have a recipe for disaster.
Awareness:
There appears to be a lot more awareness and support out there
- The rural GPs are more aware and better briefed
- Rural professionals are better briefed
- Rural support Trust is doing a great job
- The issues are more out in the open, but it keeps on happening.
Solution:
It is not a solution just to talk about it, become anaesthetised by the numbers and keep on going, there has to be a better way.
Maybe there needs to be a think-tank with interested and affected parties?
Maybe we need some suitable experienced and qualified people to go and interview the family of a suicide?
Maybe they should be looking for common threads?
Eg:
- head injury,
- family pressure,
- alcohol/prescription drugs,
- debt ratios,
- relationship issues - and the list goes on.
But maybe, just maybe there is a thread. You will notice I put head injury as No. 1. I have a sneaking suspicion it may be one of the primary causes
Maybe we need to do things differently? As a nation, we cannot afford to lose 50 of our great farming stock every year.
Conclusion
I am sure there is a connection between family land, family expectation and debt around our shocking rural suicide statistics. We need to do more and look at it differently.
Disclaimer - These are the opinions of Don Fraser of Fraser Farm Finance. Any decisions made should not be based on this article alone and appropriate professional assistance should be sought.
Where to get help:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (Mon-Fri 1pm to 10pm. Sat-Sun 3pm-10pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Samaritans 0800 726 666
• If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
