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, Christy Eastwood, Maggie Forsee
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Substance Use Recovery - FCS
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Active Living and Health Promotions 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, fatalities, tobacco use.

Method:                       

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

Timeline:                                 

2025


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:                                 

2025



Learning Opportunities:

Audience:

Carroll County Youth, 7th 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 2025


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 Fall 2024

School Year Spring 2025


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 Fall 2024

School Year Spring 2025


Audience: 

Adults

Activity:

Living with Loss series

Content or Curriculum:

Living with Loss curricula and fact sheets

Inputs:

FCS Agent, Time, Money

Date (s): Spring 2025


audience:

Senior adults

Activity:

Wits  Workout

Content or Curriculum:

Wits Workout facilitator's guide

Inputs:

FCS agent

Date:

July 2024




Success Stories

Brain health and the WITS program

Author: Christy Eastwood

Major Program: Aging-General

Aging is a natural part of life; however, it can be difficult for older adults to cope with the changes happening in their body, both physically and mentally. Research shows that many activities can help improve brain health in seniors. A study published in the New England Journal of Medicine found that seniors who regularly participated in mentally stimulating activities had a lower risk of Alzheimer’s Disease. The Carroll County Extension Service offered a five-week session of WITS

Full Story
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