Mental health, already a pressing issue for young people, has become an acute concern for millions after the year 2020 due to Covid issues and feelings of loneliness. One in five people in households with children (21%) have reported feeling down, depressed or hopeless in the previous week.  Realizing the need for improved resiliency in youth, the Todd County 4-H program provided a mindfulness training to 35 youth during the summer migrant program in a day camp setting.  Youth learned how to categorize their stressors into things they cannot change and things they can.  They learned proper stress reduction techniques, coping strategies, mindfulness activities and physical & musical activities for stress reduction.  They also learned how to turn to adults for support in the event of depression or suicidal thoughts.  The 4-H Agent led youth through a stress relief painting activity of a campfire.  Painting is one way to reduce stress.  

A second meeting, two weeks later provided a fishing day for 62 migrant youth ranging from grades K - 12.  This fishing day was an example of a way to reduce and deal with stress.   A focus group questionnaire after the two weeks of programming provided the following impacting results:

35% claimed they had felt a feeling of depression during the pandemic before the sessions. 

98% gained an understanding of stress. 

96% learned new ways to deal with stress and coping mechanisms.

100% learned a new fishing skills

79% said they had incorporated painting and coloring into their daily routine in order to manage their stress. 

Building skills of resiliency in youth after the pandemic is an important objective for the Todd County Extension Service - 4-H program.