According to the National Institute of Mental Health, “it is estimated that more than one in five U.S. adults live with a mental illness (59.3 million in 2022; 23.1% of the U.S. adult population). Mental illnesses include many different conditions that vary in degree of severity, ranging from mild to moderate to severe.”  

According to the National Alliance of Mental Illness, “746,000 adults in Kentucky have a mental health condition.  That’s more than 10x the population of Bowling Green.” In Kentucky, the percentage of adults with frequent mental distress is 18.7%.   In Boone County, that percentage is 16.1% and in Gallatin County it is 19.9%.  Data on the number of deaths of despair per in the United States is 63.5 per 100,000.   In Kentucky it is 78. Breaking that down even further, in Boone County it is 60 and in Gallatin it is 113.6.  In Boone County, fiscal year 2025 the amount of mental health allocations is $1,295,000.00 indicating a significant need for mental health programming in the area.

In effort to combat the mental health problem in both Boone and Gallatin Counties, the University of Kentucky Family & Consumer Sciences Agents Elizabeth Evans (Boone) and Ronda Rex (Gallatin) collaborated with one another and with other key agencies to conduct Crafting Calm: Mindfulness in Handmade Creations Program.  Crafting Calm was a 5-week series each Thursday and Friday focusing on The Ohio State University’s Mindful Wellness Curriculum.  As a Well-Being Champion for University of Kentucky Human Resources Department of Health and Wellness, Elizabeth was able to bring valuable knowledge and experience to the series.  Class topics included: Introduction to Mindfulness, Mindful Foundations, Mindful Breathing, Mindful Eating and Mindful Living.  Each class consisted of lecture, guided mindfulness practice/exercises, and an introduction to new a craft activity as a form of expression and relaxation.  The goal was for participants to leave the program with new tools for mindful practice that encourages patience, focus and a sense of accomplishment.  Over the course of the 5 classes, 100% of participants completed a mindfulness SMART goal.     

Elizabeth and Ronda collaborated with BAWAC, a private, non-profit 501©(3) corporation whose mission is to transform barriers into opportunities for people with disabilities, or other challenges, by empowering them with services to live, learn, work, and thrive in the community.   The Gallatin County Family Resource Center Coordinator, Kerry Tackett, attended sessions as a trainer taking the information back to the Gallatin County school system.  Elizabeth and Ronda also taught the Mindful Wellness Curriculum to Walton Verona District School, Relatives Raising Relatives group, The Gallatin County Senior Center and the Gallatin County Grand Love Support Group.   

In Boone County, based on pre-test results, 86% of the 14 participants who completed the program stated that they practiced mindfulness 0 days a week while 14% said they spent at least 10 minutes or more a day doing mindfulness exercises.  The end of program post-test showed 100% practiced mindfulness at least one or more days a week with an average of 4 days a week and 100% stated that they practiced mindfulness at least 5 minutes a day with an average of at least 14 minutes a day.  One hundred percent of the Boone County participants were either satisfied or very satisfied with the Mindful Wellness: Crafting Calm Program with 100% stating they would recommend to a friend.

In Gallatin County, based on pre-test results, 63% of the 11 participants who completed the program stated they practiced mindfulness 0 days a week while 18% stated they spent at least 10 minutes or more a day doing mindfulness exercises. The end of program post-test showed 90% practiced mindfulness at least one or more days a week and 72% stated that they practiced at least 5 minutes a day of mindfulness.  One hundred percent of the Gallatin County participants were either satisfied or very satisfied with the Mindful Wellness: Crafting Calm Program with 81% stating they would recommend to a friend.  

Program testimonials included:

1. “Some of the things we have done have opened my mind up to trying new things that I would have never thought to do.”   
2. The most helpful part of the program is “Using mindfulness almost daily and different ways and places to do it.”
3. The most helpful part of the program is “the breathing techniques.”
4. “Learning about mindfulness apps and where to try new mindfulness activities was the most helpful part and I am now enrolled in Yoga twice a week.”
5. “Learning how my body is affected by my thinking and how just breathing and clearing my mind really works.  I really enjoyed the class.  Every week I looked forward to class.  Leaders were excellent and projects were creative and showed how they released stress.”
6. “Really enjoyed the mixture of lecture and craft.”
7. “Making me realize I’m not alone in my thoughts and experiences.”
8. A Family Resource Center Coordinator stated “being able to step away from life for a few minutes and refocus. I appreciate the program and the instructors. I plan on not only adapting this within my own life but with my students and staff at school.”
9. The most helpful part of the program was “the connection and interaction with Ronda and Liz and others.”

Sources:  

https://www.nami.org/   

https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/statistics/mental-illness

https://www.boonecountyky.org/departments/community_services_and_programs/mental_health_allocations.php

https://www.usnews.com/news/healthiest-communities/kentucky

Submitted December 11, 2024