According to the CDC Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act. It also helps determine how we handle stress, relate to others, and make healthy choices. Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.

When starting the craft and app class this past year, the FCS agent was not thinking about it being more about mental health.  The class was designed to show participants how to make inexpensive items on a budget along with featuring an appetizer from Plate it Up.

The class has become much more than that.  After many classes participants started to form a group bond.  They talk about their day, week and what is going on in their lives.   They confine in each other, and some say that they have become close friends and even their mother away from home.

One participant has never found friends.  She was always the one left out and consider to be odd.  Now her whole demeaner has changed.  She is happy and cannot wait to get to the class each month.  One participant told the group that she was just having a bad week and her anxiety was high and depression had kicked in.  She did not even want to finish her project.   The FCS agent and program assistant witnessed the others talking to her and trying to offer help.  She left feeling much better and was able to finish her project.

The participants sit after they got finished and talk and listen to each other.  It is a group that is growing and shining.  On average we have about 20-25 participants.

It has helped bond trustable and new relationships.  The hands-on activity has become a stress relief and calming mechanism.