According to the Centers for Disease Control (2024), suicide is the leading cause of death for ages 10-25 in Kentucky. In addition to that, one in six people in Kentucky have had a major depressive episode (MDE) since 2020. 

The Kentucky 4-H Youth Development Program has developed a plan to address the mental health concerns of the youth and families we are working with. We have a Specialist with specific responsibilities of Health & Wellbeing. Two major concepts of the overall plan are to offer the Mental Health First Aid (eight hour course) and Youth Strong (three hour course) Programs to 4-H Professionals and Collaborators. MHFA is a nationally-recognized educational program designed to educate adults working with youth about the signs and symptoms of mental crisis and non-crisis situations. The Youth Strong Program is an educational guide for collaborators to use as needed while working with youth and families after a community traumatic event. 

During the past year over 100 adults have received either the MHFA and/or the YS training and materials. That accounts for 800 hours of education. 

We have continued to partner with the 7-Dippity Consultation Team, primary authors of the YS guide as well as external community groups to offer these programs. 

One hundred percent of participants taking the MHFA session have passed the final assessment. 95% passed with 100% scores. 

All participants of the YS program were asked to create a Plan of Action on how they would integrate the program into existing program. All were successful in doing so. 

Both Programs are being offered again this year.