Extension
It Starts With Us
Mental Health and Substance Recovery
Health
Kevin Lyons; Tina Hogue; Stephanie Hestand
Substance Use Recovery – 4-H Youth Development
Substance Use Recovery - ANR
Substance Use Recovery - FCS
Farmers, families, and youths are increasingly under more stress as they struggle to maintain their ag operations and rural way of life. Economic, market, and social forces have combined to place many farmers under a heavier financial burden. Many feel they are failing their families and themselves if they have to leave the farm for other employment, or have to sell their farm. There has been a significant increase in suicides among farmers across the country during the past few years. Mental health awareness among farmers has been identified as a priority topic among many ag groups including Cooperative Extension; KY Farm Bureau; and the KY Dept. of Ag. Teens are increasingly facing mental health and substance abuse issues as well.
The suicide rate among farmers should decrease over the next few years as they improve their mental health. Deaths due to substance abuse will should decrease as outreach programs becomes more prevalent.
Farmers will discuss their mental health issues with friends, family, and mental health professionals. Teens will open up about there struggles with substance abuse and mental wellness.
Farmers will learn to be more open in discussing their mental health with others; they will shed the stigma that is often associated with mental health issues among their peers; they will learn that it is okay to ask for help; and they will learn about the many resources that are available to them that can benefit their mental well-being. Teens will gain knowledge about resources for combating substance abuse and mental health issues.
Initial Outcome: KOSA
Indicator: Number of participants
Method: Anonymous evaluations
Timeline: 2025
Intermediate Outcome: Behavior changes
Indicator: Number of farmers attending follow up programs
Method: Anonymous evaluations
Timeline: Winter of 2025
Long-term Outcome: SEEC
Indicator: Data from agencies
Method: Research of available stats
Timeline: 2025
Audience: Farmers and farm families
Project or Activity: Ag Awareness Day
Content or Curriculum: We will have a mental health professional provide an overview of the problems that many farmers are facing, and the mental heath challenges that are resulting from them. They will talk about the resources available to farmers, and options for obtaining help.
Inputs: Extension; Monroe Co. Farm Bureau; Raising Hope
Date: Winter 2025
Audience: Monroe Co. Cattlemen's members
Project or Activity: monthly meeting
Content or Curriculum: discuss avenues for dealing with stress
Inputs: UK specialist
Date: Spring of 2025
Audience: Women involved in farming
Project or Activity: Ladies in Ag
Content or Curriculum: follow-up session to the Ladies in Ag program in-person on a producer's farm
Inputs: ag organizations; health departments
Date: Summer of 2025
