Mason County CES

County Emphasis:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Concentration 1:

Health and Wellbeing

Concentration 2:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Concentration 3:

Financial Security and Economic Well-Being

Situation:

Mental Health, Financial Wellbeing & Recovery in Kentucky

Kentuckians face growing mental health, financial, and substance use challenges. Over 43% of adults report anxiety or depression symptoms, and suicide is a leading cause of preventable death, especially for ages 10–34. Financial stress continues to impact families, while nearly 160,000 adults in Kentucky live with opioid use disorder—one of the highest rates in the U.S.

Youth are also deeply affected: 17% experience mental health disorders, but only half receive treatment. In 2023, 45% of 4-H youth nationally reported high stress.

At the same time, Kentucky is making progress in substance use recovery. The state leads the nation in residential treatment access and offers innovative programs like Recovery Kentucky and Stable Recovery, which support thousands each year.

The Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service plays a vital role in addressing these issues. Through evidence-based education, Extension equips youth and adults with skills in mental wellness, financial literacy, and substance use prevention. Extension professionals reduce stigma, connect individuals to care, and advocate for improved resources—supporting healthier lives and stronger communities across the Commonwealth.

County Situation:

Mental Health, Substance, & Financial Wellbeing in Mason County

Mental Health: Approximately 19.4% of adults in Mason County report frequent mental distress, slightly higher than the national average of 17.1% .

Financial Wellbeing: The median household income in Mason County is $51,473, below the Kentucky median of $62,417 .

Poverty: 18.7% of the population lives below the poverty line, higher than the national of 12.5% .city-data.com

Drug Use: 67.9% of Mason County residents have ever used marijuana or hashish. Additionally, 25% have used cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Adult

• Reduced incidence of mental health crises and suicide
• Increased access to mental health care and resources for all

Youth

• Kentucky 4-H members report a reduced number of youth that are considering suicide.  
• Increased number of 4-Hers who pursue mental health & well-being employment.  
• Youth will increase contributions to their communities through applying critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication learning in 4-H Health and Well Being.
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Intermediate Outcomes:

Adult

• Increased use of de-stigmatized language
• Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies
• Increased advocacy for mental health and wellbeing resources
• Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and wellbeing issues within the community

Youth

• 4-H members will practice general wellness habits.    
• Increased self-reflection and exploration of personal values and beliefs related to mental health and wellbeing among 4-Hers.
• 4-H members will practice general wellness habits.   
• Increased self-reflection and exploration of personal values and beliefs related to health and well-being among 4-Hers.  
• 4-H members will increase physical activity. 

Initial Outcomes:

Adult

• Increased ability to recognize and respond to a mental health concern
• Increased ability to use de-stigmatized language
• Increased knowledge of self-care and other coping strategies
• Increased knowledge of mental health and well-being resources (interpersonal and community-based)

Youth

• Increased knowledge of positive mental health practices  
• Increased knowledge and awareness of healthy habits and practices among 4-Hers.  
• Improved attitudes and beliefs towards healthy habits and practices among 4-Hers.  
• Increased knowledge of general wellness practices 
• Increased knowledge of positive mental health practices  
• Increased knowledge and awareness of healthy habits and practices among 4-Hers.  
• Improved attitudes and beliefs towards healthy habits and practices among 4-Hers.  
• Increased knowledge of general wellness practices

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies

Indicator: Number of participants who adopted self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being.

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

Timeline: Ongoing; Surveys should be administered at least 3-6 months after a program

Outcome: Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., exercise, healthy nutrition, positive coping, etc.). (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills (ST)
• Number of participants who used self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration (ST) and follow-up survey (BC)

Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported that they have identified an interest in health or wellbeing initiatives in their community. 
• Number of youth who reported that they understand the importance of habits or choices that promote health and wellbeing.  
• Number of youth who reported that they learned ways to be physically active  
• Number of youth who reported that they learned how physical activity contributes to overall health 
• Number of youth who reported that they learned how food impacts their overall health. 
• Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in health and wellbeing that fits their interest.  

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey

Timeline: Immediately after program/event 

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Communities

Project or Activity: Mental Health Access and Advocacy  

Content or Curriculum: BARN (Bringing Awareness Right Now) Farm Dinner Theater, Pathways to Wellness, Building and Maintaining Health Coalitions

Inputs: Programmatic materials, state specialist support, staff training, facilities, community partners (health coalitions, schools, local non-profits, etc.), UK Healthcare mental health resources, 988 community resources.

Date: Fall 2025

 

Audience: Families and Individuals

Project or Activity: Recovery Capital Building

Content or Curriculum: Healthy Choices for Your Recovering Body (HCYRB), Recovering Your Finances (RYF), Recovery Gardens, Positive Employability, Question. Persuade. Refer (QPR), Mind Art Recovery Kentucky

Inputs: Programmatic materials, community partners, ASAP Boards and Community Coalitions, residential treatment centers, detention centers, healthcare providers, law enforcement, and clergy

Date: Ongoing

 

Audience: Adults in recovery

Project or Activity: Recovery garden

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardeners, recovery garden, SNAP

Inputs: Programmatic materials, community partners, SNAP

Date: Ongoing

Audience: Youth  

Project or Activity: Nutrition and Food Preparation 

Content or Curriculum: Jump Into Food and Fitness 

Inputs: 

• 4-H Family and Consumer Sciences programs in which youth experience a sense of belonging, and developmental relationships, explore their spark, and actively engage in meaningful opportunities.  
• Accredited and certified volunteers in 4-H FCS projects. 
• Kentucky Extension Homemakers Association  
• Four residential camping facilities.  
• Cooperative Extension Educational facilities.  
• Utilization of approved research-based curriculum. 
• Outreach of the Cooperative Extension Land-Grant System.  
• Funding from the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, Inc.  
• Funding from local, state, and federal sources.  
• Engagement of youth and volunteers in program delivery. 
• Engaging communities in identifying and implementing programming based on local needs 

Date: September 1 – August 30 

Evaluation:

Outcome: Increased use of self-care and other coping strategies

Indicator: Number of participants who adopted self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and well-being.

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

Timeline: Ongoing; Surveys should be administered at least 3-6 months after a program

Outcome: Increased intentions to employ health-promoting behaviors (e.g., exercise, healthy nutrition, positive coping, etc.). (Short-term, ST, and Intermediate, BC).

Indicator: 

• Number of participants who reported that they intend to use self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills (ST)
• Number of participants who used self-care strategies to improve their recovery and/or substance refusal skills.

Method: Self-reported surveys

Timeline: Post-program/curricula survey administration (ST) and follow-up survey (BC)

Outcome: Short Term

Indicator: 

• Number of youth who reported that they have identified an interest in health or wellbeing initiatives in their community. 
• Number of youth who reported that they understand the importance of habits or choices that promote health and wellbeing.  
• Number of youth who reported that they learned ways to be physically active  
• Number of youth who reported that they learned how physical activity contributes to overall health 
• Number of youth who reported that they learned how food impacts their overall health. 
• Number of youth who reported that they have identified at least one job/career in health and wellbeing that fits their interest.  

Method: Standard Evaluation for 4-H Health and Wellbeing: Survey

Timeline: Immediately after program/event