Improving Mental HealthPlan of Work

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Carroll County CES

Title:
Improving Mental Health
MAP:
Achieving a Healthy Lifestyle
Agents Involved:
Joyce Doyle and Thomas Mann
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Substance Use Prevention and Recovery General
Situation:

Mental health refers to overall emotional well-being, including how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life.  People who are emotionally healthy are better able to cope with life’s challenges, build strong relationships, and lead productive, fulfilling lives. 

Mental health affects more than just emotions.  It can also affect physical health, sleep, appetite, concentration, and recovery from illness and disease.  Like physical health, mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

In the agriculture sector, mental health of the farmer has come to the forefront over the past several years.  Farming is considered one of the top ten most stressful occupations in the United States.  This is due to a range of pressures put on the farmer such as financial concerns, personal or family concerns, work-related injuries, change in farm policies, chemical exposure, loss of crop or livestock, and weather.

According to a 2019 poll sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation, a majority of farmers and farmworkers say financial issues (91%), farm or business problems (88%), and a fear of losing the farm (87%) impact their mental health.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) states that male farmers across seventeen states took their own lives at a rate two times higher than the general population.  Farmers are some of the most at-risk people in rural communities, making it extremely important to reduce the stigma associated with mental health issues so that people seek help.

The recent statewide needs assessment identified substance use prevention and recovery as the most urgent priority for Cooperative Extension. Moreover, substance use was the focal point of the CES Advisory Council Meeting in early 2019. Taken together, youth KIP survey data and data from the CES needs assessment demonstrate the need to address substance use prevention, recovery, stigma, and impact on families and communities.

Long-Term Outcomes:
Intermediate Outcomes:
Initial Outcomes:
Evaluation:

Outcome:

Long-term.

Indicator:                                

Decrease in reported number of substance use, youth fatalities, tobacco use.

Method:                       

Number of people incarcerated for drug paraphernalia.   County statistics for local school system.  Common Measures Experience Survey.

Timeline:                                 

2 – 4 years


Outcome:

Intermediate

Indicator:                                

Decreased number of discipline referrals in local school system.

Method:                       

County statistics from local school system.   Conversations with Carroll County Champions and Health and Safety Coalition.  Common Measures Experience Survey.

Timeline:                                 

1 – 1.5 years


Outcome:

Initial

Indicator:                                

Number of individuals attending programs and intending to change behavior.  Number of students in Health Rocks.

Method:                       

Retroactive pre-post.  Common Measures Experience Survey.

Timeline:                                 

8 months – 2 years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Carroll County Youth, 8th Grade

Project or Activity:                  

Truth and Consequences

Content or Curriculum:          

Truth and Consequences:  The Choice is Yours!

Inputs:                                     

Extension Agents, Extension Staff, Community Volunteers, Carroll County Middle School Staff, Money, Time

Date(s):                                   

Spring 2023

Spring 2024


Audience:

Carroll County Youth

Project or Activity:                 

Bullying Lessons

Content or Curriculum:          

Character Counts

Inputs:                                     

Extension Agent, Extension Staff, Carroll County School District, Time, Money

Date(s):                                   

School Year 2023

School Year 2024


Audience:

Carroll County Youth

Project or Activity:                 

Health Rocks

Content or Curriculum:          

Health Rocks

Inputs:                                     

Extension Agent, Extension Staff, Teen Council members, Extension publications, Time, Money

Date(s):                                   

School Year 2023

School Year 2024


Audience:

4-H Teen Court Members

Activity:

Teen Court

Content or Curriculum:

Teen Court Policies and Procedures

Inputs:

Extension Agent, District Judge, Teen Court Members, Time, Money

Date(s):

2023

2024





Success Stories

Living with Loss

Author: Christy Eastwood

Major Program: Active Living and Health Promotions General

Death is unavoidable, yet we keep it at arm’s length. We know it is going to happen, but we don’t want to let it in. The purpose of the Living with Loss series is to help people feel more comfortable talking about and exploring issues related to death. This lesson highlights self-care and managing grief. Talking about self-care and how to manage grief is important because it helps people learn how to adjust and keep on living after a loved one has died. When grief is properly process

Full Story
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