UK Extension, in partnership with UK College of Nursing, developed the BARN program to increase awareness of rural mental health and wellbeing, and to offer tools and resources to reduce mental health challenges, farm stress, and suicide among farmers. BARN is a two-part community intervention designed to normalize talking about mental health challenges and suicide, improve recognition of mental health challenges and suicide behaviors, and provide skills to handle mental health challenges and suicide and improve mental well-being. BARN also provides tangible information about professional resources to address mental health challenges in the community. The first portion of the program involves a three-day youth camp that teaches students the knowledge and skills (e.g., recognizing stress and coping skills) they need to address mental health challenges in themselves and their community. Youth translate the knowledge and skills learned from the camp into a dinner theater production that aims to improve community members’ ability to recognize mental health and wellbeing, examine stigmas related to mental health in the community, and identify resources to support mental health and wellbeing in the community. 

BARN was piloted in Kentucky counties with elevated suicide mortality (39% higher than the state), especially among farmers and farm workers. Across the implementation counties, approximately 469 community members of varying age groups attended the Farmers’ Dinner Theater. Evaluation results showed 29% pre-post increase in participants’ awareness of the need to talk about stress with their families and friends, and 32% increase in their knowledge of who to contact if they or someone else they know is having thoughts of hopelessness and/or suicide. Likewise, participants’ intention to seek resources to help prevent suicide in their communities increased by 40% and their intention to talk with their families and friends about their stress level increased by 38%. Forty-nine (37 females; 12 males) youth (ages 11-18) participated in the youth camp portion of BARN. Participant knowledge and understanding of mental health and well-being was statistically higher after the camp. Participants reported a 59% increase in their ability to recognize stress, anxiety, and depression; 55% increase in their understanding of the links between improved mental health and wellness and suicide prevention; and 127% pre-post increase in their understanding of the steps of QPR technique (Question, Persuade, and Refer) to reduce suicide. Credit: BARN and Substance Use and Mental Health Collective Impact Team