Success Stories - Kentucky Extension Reporting System

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Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Cooperative Extension Service

Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment

Impacts

Craig Wood, Ph.D
Acting Associate Dean & Director
UK Cooperative Extension Service

S-107 Ag. Science Center North Lexington, KY 40546-0091

+1 (859) 257-4302

craig.wood@uky.edu

Fiscal Year: 2025

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2025

Jul 1, 2024 - Jun 30, 2025

Success StoriesKentucky Extension Reporting System

Extension Partnership with UK Healthcare Increases Access to Mental Health Resources

Author: Katherine Jury

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Relevance: More than 1 in 5 adults in the United States live 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

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The Calm Craft Series

Author: Megan Gullett

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

The Calm Craft Series

Many adults in Russell County are seeking meaningful ways to manage stress, connect with others, and develop new skills. Fiber arts such as crocheting provide not only a creative outlet, but also promote mindfulness, social interaction, and a sense of purpose. However, most local residents interested in crochet lacked any prior experience with the craft.Russell County Extension offered three beginner crochet classes starting in August to teach foundational crochet skills. These classes also emph

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Improving Your Indoor Environment

Author: Edith Lovett

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Describe the Issue or Situation.90% of our time is spent indoors where it is the most likely place to be exposed to indoor air pollution.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).Clients leaned the main causes of indoor air quality problems and the best home solutions.Provide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.300 adults with breathing problems and needed better air quality in the home.Provide a Statement of Outcomes or Program

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Mental Health Is Key to Optimum Health

Author: Jennifer Bridge

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

1 in 3 adults in the United States lives with a mental illness.  Mental Health First Aid, from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, is a skills-based training that teaches people how to identify, understand, and respond to signs and symptoms of a mental health or substance use challenge in adults ages 18 and over. The evidence behind the program demonstrates that it builds mental health literacy, providing an action plan that teaches people to identify and address a potential mental h

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Partnership With New Vista

Author: Amanda Sears

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Partnership With New Vista

In fall, the team leader for Therapeutic Rehabilitation Programs at New Vista reached out to the Madison County Horticulture and Family and Consumer Science Agents. New Vista offers a day treatment for adults with severe mental illnesses. Their program aims to assist clients in developing and improving life skills, self monitoring symptoms and side effects, emotional regulation, coping skills, interpersonal skills and independent living skills. Part of their mission is to treat people with digni

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Needlework is Used to Reduce Stress

Author: Hazel Jackson

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

    In 2024 a needs assessment conducted by the University of Kentucky revealed that many people across our state are looking for ways to improve their mental health and overall well-being.   To address the need for women to have activities that relieve stress, the Wilderness Trail Area FCS agents from the 8 counties (Bell, Clay, Harlan, Jackson, Knox, Laurel, Rockcastle, and Whitley) hosted a needlework seminar.   Each of the beginner level classes offered handwork to reliev

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Connecting Mindfulness and Nature

Author: Marsha Hagler

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Describe the Issue or Situation.Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).In response to the need to offer programming that supports individuals in reducing their risk of stress related negative health outcomes, Danielle Hagler worked closely with Katherine Jury, Extension Specialist for Family Health, to develop the Mindfulness Trail.  The Mindful TrailProvide the Number and Description(s) of Participants/Target Audience.Provide a Statement of Outc

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Understanding Suicide - KEHA Leader Lesson

Author: Macey Stewart

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Suicide is a public concern and one of the most preventable causes of death. Every eleven minutes someone dies by suicide in the U.S., however, in Kentucky people die by suicide more frequently. In the U.S. and Kentucky, males die by suicide more often than females while individuals between 10 and 34 years old are at the highest risk for suicide. There are many risks for suicide including age, sex, stress, job hazards and health conditions, but it is important to note suicide can affect any

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West Jessamine Middle School Mindful Eating

Author: Sara Haag

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Describe the Issue or Situation.The 7th graders of West Jessamine Middle School tend to be on smart phones, video games, electronics quite often as well as other kids their age, while eating meals. The FCS teacher from WJMS reached out to me to see if I could come in and speak to the students on the importance of mindful eating. Describe the Outreach or Educational Program Response (and Partners, if applicable).I put together a PowerPoint educating the students on mindfulness in general, th

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Taking Back Your Space

Author: Linda Burgard

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Research consistently shows that clutter can negatively impact an individual's health by increasing stress and anxiety, reducing focus and productivity, and contributing to mental health issues like depression or mood disorders.  Additionally, clutter can pose physical dangers in the home, increasing the risk of accidents like tripping and can exacerbate allergies and other respiratory issues due to dust accumulation.  The effects extend beyond individual health—clutter can a

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Mental Health Monday

Author: Brandy Napier

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

In 2021, County Health Rankings and Roadmaps released data indicating that 18% of Kentucky adults reported experiencing poor mental health for 14 or more of the last 30 days.  The data indicates this percentage climbing to 23% when focused specifically on Clay County.  Adult Clay Countians reported having experienced an average of 6.2 mentally unhealthy days within the 30 days prior to survey.  Such data dictates that efforts to assist our community members in improving their ment

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WITS Workout

Author: Stephanie Hestand

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

According to the Alzheimer’s Association website, Alzheimer’s disease in Kentucky is a growing public health crisis and the impact is projected to rise. Alzheimer’s Association current data listed for Kentucky reports that 81,000 people at the age of 65 and older are living with Alzheimer’s and 11.2 percent of people at the age of 45 and older have subjective cognitive decline. As for brain health, the Alzheimer’s Association website states that even though there is

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Clearing out the Clutter and Reducing Stress

Author: Joan Bowling

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

According to researchers at the Princeton University Neuroscience Institute (The Journal of Neuroscience, 2011) which analyzed the effects of uncluttered and organized living found when an environment is cluttered, the chaos restricts ones ability to focus. Clutter limits a brain’s ability to process information, distracts, and makes processing information much more difficult than when in an uncluttered, organized, and serene environment. Researchers at UCLA’s Center on Everyday

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Self-Care 101

Author: Rebecca Miller

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

The past few years have been stressful and individuals have battled cognitive overload trying to process fear, anxiety and uncertainty. The ongoing health and political crises have affected people’s mental health around of world and in our communities. To help others deal with the different types of loss individuals and families have experienced over the years, the FCS Agent in Bell County taught the homemaker lesson, Self Care-Self Pamper developed by specialist at the University of Kentu

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Self-Care: Building Meaningful Relationships and Strengthening Social Connections

Author: Jill Harris

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Self-care refers to taking time to do things that improves physical and mental health. Common self-care practices include eating healthily, managing stress, and getting adequate sleep and exercise. According to the National Institutes of Health, meaningful social connections also contribute to self-care in terms of overall health, happiness, well-being, and quality of life. When committed to strengthening social connections, you are better able to support, maintain, and/or improve the life

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Stitching Hope

Author: Joni Phelps

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

In the heart of Livingston County, a small community group known as the Homemakers Pins & Needles embarked on a heartfelt mission to bring comfort and dignity to those in need. This group, comprised of individuals dedicated to the art of sewing and crafting, decided to use their skills to make a difference at the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center.The group first discussed ways to give back to the community during a monthly meeting, which sparked the idea. The Merryman House, a refuge for

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Leader Lessons Raise Awareness on Important Issues

Author: Whitney Morrow

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Addiction and mental health issues continue to take their toll on communities, families, and individuals in northeast Kentucky and all over the country. The statewide Extension Needs Assessment showed the top needs as support for substance use prevention and recovery and improved assess to mental health and wellbeing resources.  In Carter County, 20% of residents reported to having 14 or more mentally unhealthy days a month.  From 2020-2022 there were 1,1173 reported ER visits due to s

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The Importance of Child Mindfulness

Author: Kate Thompson

Major Program: Mental Health and Well-being - FCS

Teaching children mindfulness can help them focus on the present moment, deal with stressors, and understand their emotions.  According to the Child Mind Institute, mindfulness can have a positive impact on children’s mental health.  In order to encourage mindful habits with children, the Cooperative Extension Service offered a two-part series day camp called Mindfulness in Nature. The FCS and Horticulture Agent teamed up to offer the program to 14 children aged 7-10 years old. T

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Acting Associate Dean & Director — Craig Wood, Ph.D.
S107 Ag. Science Center North
Lexington, KY 40546-0091
+1 (859) 257-4302

© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment