Estill County CES

County Emphasis:

Mental Health and Well-Being in Estill County

Concentration 1:

Mental Health and Well-Being

Concentration 2:

Substance Use Prevention and Recovery

Situation:

More than ever before, people are feeling the burden of stress on their wellbeing. More than 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a mental illness; in Kentucky, 43% of adults report signs or symptoms of anxiety or depression across their lifespan. At the same time, suicide is a leading cause of preventable death in Kentucky for individuals aged 10-34, and those over the age of 59.

Concern over the state of mental health and access to care was echoed in the Cooperative Extension Community Needs Assessment, where respondents listed “improved access to mental health and wellbeing resources” as one of the top 6 priority issues. Kentuckians are aware of their need for knowledge and skills to recognize and respond to a mental health challenge, whether it be their own or to help someone else, and the ability to advocate for more mental health resources in all areas of the state.

Cooperative Extension is poised with the research and evidence-based resources needed to serve as a beacon of hope in times of distress through our ability to help overcome stigma, connect people to care, and amplify the voices of many to advocate for better quality of life for all.

Youth Focus

Kentucky’s youth population deserves safe and nurturing environments that foster their growth and wellbeing. Unfortunately, mental health challenges affect a significant portion of our youth, with 17% of those aged 6-17 experiencing mental health disorders, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (2023), and only 50% receiving treatment. The impact is profound, with one person in the U.S. dying by suicide every 11 minutes, and in Kentucky alone, 800 lives were lost to suicide in 2022. Recognizing the urgency, the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service’s 2019 and 2023 statewide programming issue surveys highlighted mental health and wellbeing as priority areas. Nationally, 45% of 4-H participants reported high stress in a 2023 survey by 4-H.org. The University of Kentucky Community Needs Assessment (2023) indicates priorities of improve access to mental

health and wellbeing resources, minimizing bullying and/or school violence, stronger parenting and relationship-building skills, and social, emotional, and/or behavioral education for adults working with youth. To address these concerns, the 4-H Program provides evidence-based educational programs focused on positive mental health and self-care, aiming to empower youth with decision-making and critical thinking skills, fostering resilience and overall wellbeing. By emphasizing mental health and offering targeted educational initiatives, we can create a brighter future for Kentucky’s youth.

County Situation:

The percentage of adults reporting 14 or more days of poor mental health in Estill County was 21.0%. Estill County has the highest amount of drug overdoses in the state of Kentucky.  Estill Countians have a need for mental health resources, and once this need is met, it could impact substance use in the county as well.  The community and 4-H council can work together to provide positive resources for the youth of Estill County.  Homemaker members help provide self-care, volunteer opportunities, and a community for citizens that may feel alone.

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

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

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 

Evaluation:

 

Adult

Outcome: Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and well-being issues within the community

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing; Each partnership should be reported once per reporting interval

 

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

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

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

 

Outcome: Increased knowledge of mental health and well-being resources (interpersonal and community-based)

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

 

Outcome: Increased advocacy for mental health and wellbeing resources

Indicator: Number of participants who adopted strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community.

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

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

 

Youth

Outcome: Medium Term 

Indicator: 

• Number of youths who adopted self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and wellbeing.
• Number of youths who adopted strategies to support or promote mental health and wellbeing in their community
• Number of youths who reported behavior change as a result of participation in mental health and wellbeing programming

Method: Survey 

Timeline: 3-6 Months post-program 

 

Outcome: Long Term 

Indicator: Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study.

Method: Survey or Interview 

Timeline: 1+ years

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Families and Individuals 

Project or Activity: Mental Health Education Programming 

Content or Curriculum: Adult Mental Health First Aid, QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer), CODE RED, ACT (Awareness, Communication, and Triage and Treat) for Farm Families, Understanding and Coping with Trauma after Natural Disasters, After the Storm, Blue to You   

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: Ongoing; 2025-2029 

 

Audience: Families and Individuals 

Project or Activity: Promoting Well-being 

Content or Curriculum: MARK (Mind, Art, Recovery, Kentucky), Take a Beat: Healing Hearts and Minds, Handling Farm Stress: A Workshop for New and Beginning Farmers, Mindfulness Trails, Yoga-ta Try This (KEHA lesson), Self-care programming, Mindfulness programming, Recovery Gardens, Mental Health and Wellbeing Series, The Mind-Body Connection 

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: Ongoing; 2025-2029

 

Audience:  4-Hers, Extension Professionals, Clientele  

Project or Activity: Community, Access & Engagement Programs 

Content or Curriculum:  4-H LIFE utilizes the curriculum Essential Elements which is sourced from Shop 4-H. Additional curriculum and content is sourced from Shop 4-H and other Land Grant Systems. Content for Adelante 4-H has been developed by the Land Grant System and sourced from other Land Grant systems. Content for Jr. MANRRS is sourced from the MANRRS society. All curriculum and content focus on building community, as well as increasing access and engagement of youth.  

Evaluation:

 

Adult

Outcome: Increased partnerships (number or strength) to address mental health and well-being issues within the community

Indicator: Number of partnerships with community organizations, institutions, agencies, or individuals to address mental health and well-being in the community

Method: Agent record of community partnerships utilized in programming

Timeline: Ongoing; Each partnership should be reported once per reporting interval

 

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

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

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

 

Outcome: Increased knowledge of mental health and well-being resources (interpersonal and community-based)

Indicator: Number of participants who intend to adopt strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community

Method: Post-participation survey/evaluation results

Timeline: On-going; Surveys should be administered immediately after a program

 

Outcome: Increased advocacy for mental health and wellbeing resources

Indicator: Number of participants who adopted strategies to support or promote mental health and well-being in their community.

Method: Follow-up survey/evaluation results

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

 

Youth

Outcome: Medium Term 

Indicator: 

• Number of youths who adopted self-care strategies to improve their own mental health and wellbeing.
• Number of youths who adopted strategies to support or promote mental health and wellbeing in their community
• Number of youths who reported behavior change as a result of participation in mental health and wellbeing programming

Method: Survey 

Timeline: 3-6 Months post-program 

 

Outcome: Long Term 

Indicator: Long-term evaluation will be conducted using the National 4-H Index Study.

Method: Survey or Interview 

Timeline: 1+ years