According to the Kentucky Department of Education in September 2021, “suicide is the second leading cause of death for youth and young adults in Kentucky. According to the Kentucky Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 15 percent of Kentucky high school students (1 in 7) reported having seriously considered suicide within a 12-month period. In addition, 17.4 percent of Kentucky middle school students (nearly 1 in 5) reported that they had seriously considered killing themselves at some point in their lives.”  According to the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, and the Surgeon General (2009), there are several community-level protective factors that help youth avoid mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, including physical and psychological safety, structure, supportive relationships, opportunities to belong, positive social norms, allowing youth to make useful contributions and feel like they matter, and opportunities for building skills (Search Institute, 2006).  Positive youth development is one of the strongest tools society has to help prevent depression, suicide, substance abuse and other indicators of adolescent mental disorders.  

Teens in Boyle County 4-H participate in a variety of events including Teen Conference, Summit, Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, Issues Conference, State Teen Council, District 4 Teen Council, District 4 Teen Retreat, District 4 Middle School Retreat, County Teen Club/Teens v. Food, and County Explore the Past Club (middle and high schoolers).  Participation in these conferences, retreats, councils, and clubs allowed them to experience many, if not all, of these protective factors.  Teens tell us how 4-H has helped shape them in their own words:

“4-H has helped me develop great life skills such as responsibility, cooking, and leadership.  It has helped me with my shyness problem by letting me be myself in front of others and I’m very thankful.”  18-year-old Gavin

“In 4-H I have learned to be the leader I want to be.” 16-year-old Kate

“4-H lets me practice leadership with other kids so I can see what works and what doesn’t.  We learn how to lead and be team players at the same time.” 16-year-old Peter

“In 4-H teen programs I’ve learned that I have to speak up.  I didn’t realize how quiet I am until I started hanging out with teens from other places.” 17-year-old Blake

“I love 4-H trips.  I learn stuff and see places I wouldn’t ever get to on my own.” 17-year-old Chase