According to CDC, Kentucky had the nation's 2nd highest percentage of overdose deaths/per 100k people in 2020. Coinciding with the COVID 19 Pandemic in 2020, overdose deaths in the state increased by 49%. Substance Use Disorder (SUD) often co-occurs in individuals with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and PTSD – conditions which also skyrocketed across the nation in 2020. In the wake of this crisis in mental health and substance use disorder, University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension utilized its reach in the state to deploy research-based programming with a goal of increasing wellness in Kentucky communities.

Through a partnership with Arts Extension, CEDIK and FCS, funded by SAMHSA, the expressive arts intervention Mind.Art.Recovery.Ky (MARK) was delivered to individuals and families affected by SUD. Beginning in 2021 and culminating in 2022, CEDIK staff completed a pilot and revision of a curriculum of arts-in-health lessons integrating arts into existing SUD recovery and prevention efforts. 

The completion of the MARK pilot program in 2021/2022 served an additional 47 individuals in 3 Kentucky counties, for a total of 98 participants in 6 counties over the course of the grant program. These participants received instruction in the revised arts in health curriculum featuring journal making, creative writing, painting, printmaking, songwriting and mixed media. Participant feedback from in-person instruction informed revisions to the lesson format, content and delivery that was subsequently implemented.

In Campbell County, CEDIK staff partnered with the FCS agent to engage 7 youth participants from Mentoring Plus, an at-risk youth after-school and summer camp facility, ensuring program flexibility for both adult and youth participants.

In Whitley County, CEDIK staff partnered with the Arts agent and Anchored Ministries, a residential drug rehabilitation program for both men and women, to deliver the pilot to 14 participants, establishing a continuing relationship for future activities at Whitley County Extension with this rehab center.

In Fayette County, CEDIK staff partnered with the 4-H Expressive Arts Specialist to deliver MARK songwriting lessons to increase wellness and expression to 13 residents from Chrysalis House, a women’s residential treatment facility and transitional home. The multi-week program culminated in a final performance of participant-created songs.

Additionally in Fayette County, CEDIK staff partnered with 4-H Agents to deliver the revised MARK curriculum to 13 youth participants at the 4-H Teen Conference. Positive feedback from participants confirmed success of the modified activities.

Survey data from individual lessons showed that as a result of the program, self-reported participant art skills increased by an average of 62%. Current emotional state of participants, such as calmness, happiness, ability to focus, sense of belonging and confidence improved by an average of 39% after each class. Participants also reported that essential skills such as problem-solving, connection with others, comfort expressing themselves, etc. increased an average of 34%. 

The next phase of this program will train Extension Agents, recovery center staff and community health coalitions across Kentucky to implement this program in their own communities.