In 2013, the Centers for Disease Control found that 10% of Kentucky high school students reported at least one major depressive episode during the previous 12 months; 15% reported seriously contemplating suicide; and 8% reported actually attempting suicide in the same period.  Three percent actually attempted suicide and had to be medically treated as a result.  According to the Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health, and the Surgeon General (2009), there are several community-level protective factors that help youth avoid mental, emotional, and behavioral disorders, including physical and psychological safety, structure, supportive relationships, opportunities to belong, positive social norms, allowing youth to make useful contributions and feel like they matter, and opportunities for building skills (Search Institute, 2006).  Positive youth development is one of the strongest tools society has to help prevent depression, suicide, substance abuse and other indicators of adolescent mental disorders.  

Teens in Boyle County 4-H participated in a variety of events including Teen Conference, Summit, Southern Region Teen Leadership Conference, National 4-H Congress, National 4-H Conference, Issues Conference, State Teen Council, District 4 Teen Council, District 4 Teen Retreat, District 4 Middle School Retreat, County Teen Club/Teens v. Food, and County Explore the Past Club (middle and high schoolers).  Participation in these conferences, retreats, councils, and clubs allowed them to experience many, if not all, of these protective factors.  Teens tell us how 4-H has helped shape them in their own words:

“4-H has helped me learn the skill of patience and integrity.  Patience in learning how to deal with children and their craziness.  Integrity by making me be honest with how I act around kids, adults and teens.”  14-year-old Adin

“4-H has given me the skills necessary to be a good leader and a better friend.  I would never have been as outgoing as I am without 4-H.”  18-year-old Daniel

“4-H has given me more opportunities to publicly speak, to learn from experience, and to create something on my own.  Due to this, I have become a more level-headed speaker; have gained a greater appreciation of what I’m learning whether it be cooking, history, or social skills; and have learned to work with others in an effective manner.” 17-year-old Faris

“4-H has helped me grow through the many experiences it offers.  It has helped improve my leadership, taught me how to fix issues in my community, and helped me gain soft skills that will help me throughout my life.”  15-year-old Grace

“4-H has helped me develop great life skills such as responsibility, cooking, and leadership.  It has helped me with my shyness problem by letting me be myself in front of others and I’m very thankful.”  14-year-old Gavin

“4-H has made a big impact on my life.  I have grown out of my shell because 4-H has made me talk to all different kinds of people.  I’ve learned what it takes to be a great leader and grown as a leader.  It’s also given me a new perspective on life and changed my priorities.  Some of the things I used to put first, now aren’t even in the lineup.”  14-year-old Molly

“4-H has helped me improve my public speaking skills through camp classes and leadership roles such as Rally Days.”  18-year-old Jed

“4-H has redefined my vision of leadership from someone in charge to a group of people working together.” 16-year-old Megan