Progress 09/01/21 to 07/09/24
Outputs
Target Audience:While our emphasis is directly on Illinois farm families, we recently added a focus on young adults, specifically FFA members who are influential in their communities and can speak impactfully to peers and older generations regarding mental health. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Farm Succession Virtual Series Free discussions designed to assist farmers and farm families with developing a succession plan for future generations; presented with an agricultural mental health counselor and field specialist in agricultural business. March 7th, 13th, and 19th, 2024 "Fielding Resilience: Identifying and Supporting Struggling Farmers" A zoom event designed to address the pressing mental health concerns facing farmers and their families led by Dr. Nick Weshinskey, a licensed professional educator and nationally certified counselor. March 27th, 2024 FFRI Podcast: "Wellness in the Fields" A monthly podcast that discusses mental health, offers practical insights, shares stories of strength and gives expert guidance. FFRI Podcast SIU Medicine How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Below are the projects that were created through the FFA grants: Cambridge FFA Chapter: Mental Health Line Dancing Night "Give Mental Health the Boot" was a collaborative partnership between the Cambridge FFA chapter and the local county mental health alliance that emphasized the connection between physical activity and mental well-being. Participants had the opportunity to line dance and do other fun things while also gaining insight into how such activities can positively impact mental health. Staunton FFA Chapter: #BuildingUpBulldogs The Staunton FFA Chapter initiated a new mental health awareness program at SHS that hosts events including having a motivational speaker and creating videos that guide students through coping mechanisms to reduce stress and anxiety. Edwards County FFA Chapter Edwards County FFA Chapter plans to partner with the Edwards County Farm Bureau to host an event for Wabash Valley College 50 nursing students related to farmer's mental health in hopes of influencing future nurses to help with the mental health crisis in their rural communities. Snacks and meals provided. Calhoun FFA Chapter A Feed the Farmers program is hosted each fall where farmers are given meals and a speaker conducts a 1-hour discussion on mitigation methods for stress and mental health. Streator FFA Chapter The Streator Chapter collaborated with the local movie theater to show movies about mental health in order for students to understand how it impacts people in their daily life. Maroa-Forsyth FFA Chapter Hosted a "Farm Nights Under the Lights 5k" on May 31st to raise money to donate to Farm Family Resources Initiative (FFRI). Galva FFA Chapter Hosted mental health awareness workshops for grades 7-12 to raise awareness of mental health issues, provide education on coping strategies, and promote overall well-being in March 2024 with outside professionals in the industry. Arcola FFA Chapter In May, the Arcola FFA chapter hosted an event for Mental Health Awareness month where students in grades 7-12 can participate in stress relieving activities such as stress-ball making, yoga, kickboxing, listening to speakers, and others. Sterling FFA Chapter Hosted stress reduction workshops including creating stress relieving kits and zen gardens, learning yoga stretches and learning about mental health resources. Newark FFA Chapter On February 28th the Newark FFA Chapter hosted Tom Thelen, the author of Mental Health 101 for Teens, and discussed bullying prevention, resiliency, and mental health with students, parents, and community members. Shelbyville FFA Chapter: Thank a Farmer Day Purchased Element E50 Fire Extinguisher flares for Farmers in their communities to mitigate the potential stresses of farm fires and delivered hot meals and motivational letters from students to the fields. Odin FFA Chapter: Eagle Empowerment Purchased stress relief items for students to utilize at times of high stress and anxiety, and hosted a guest speaker to educate on meditation. Olympia Middle School FFA Chapter: Filled Your Bucket First Hosted an event in March before spring planting as a reminder to farm families to "fill their bucket first" and prioritize self-care. Different activities such as line dancing, massages, painting, yoga, meal planning/prepping, and a guest mental health professional were available for families of middle and high schoolers. Shiloh FFA Chapter In October, the FFA members provided lunch for their local farmers during harvest where about 180 farmers were fed. Pecatonica FFA Chapter The students made thank you notes and goody baskets for farmers in the local community during planting season to show their appreciation during a stressful time for farmers Vandalia FFA Chapter Hosted an event to provide/distribute microwavable hot meals and informational materials about mental health to the community. Grief Support Group for Farmers and Farm Families On the fourth Wednesday of each month, a virtual event is hosted to offer a confidential space for individuals to openly express their feelings, engage in discussions, find solace, and extend comfort to those who have undergone similar experiences. Grief Support Group for Farmers and Farm Families SIU School of Medicine (siumed.edu) Bend Don't Break Grant Mental Health Mondays Once a month, FFA members set up a table before school and/or at lunch and offer various activities that include information on how/where to get help and strategies to help individuals self-regulate. Funds used to purchase materials for the activities and giveaways for the students who participate. Host a Farmers Share Dinner Host a "farmers share meal," where attendees pay exactly what a farmer would receive back for that meal. During the meal, have a licensed psychologist as the guest speaker to present a keynote about what mental illness is, what treatment is available, and why it is important to seek out mental health support. Funds used to purchase the food for the event. We Care/Wellness Kits Organize kits filled with stickers, stress balls, snacks, gum, and material on mental health and distribute them to farmers in your local community. Funds used to purchase the material to fill the kits with. Host a safeTALK Training LivingWorks safeTALK is a four-hour training that equips people to be more alert to someone thinking of suicide and better able to connect them with further help. To learn more, visit https://livingworks.net/ Funds used to cover the cost of the training and provide refreshments for those who attend. Host a breakfast or morning tea Invite a psychologist or mental health professional to lead a discussion over bagels and hot drinks, providing tips and techniques for handling stress, anger, and more. Making it a weekly or monthly series, with a different topic for each event, can help you appeal to busy attendees. Funds used to cover the cost of refreshments and giveaways for those who attend the event. Host a mental health seminar Gather a panel of psychologists, therapists, or other mental health professionals to inform your audience about symptoms and warning signs of mental illness. Often, workplaces or schools will be happy to provide space for events geared toward their employees or students, so contact facilities management about potential venues. Funds used to cover the cost of refreshments and giveaways for those who attend the event. Host a film screening Screen a mental health-themed film or documentary to engage your audience, then follow it up with a Q&A or discussion led by a psychologist or counselor. Choose from popular Hollywood titles like "Silver Linings Playbook," "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," and "A Beautiful Mind," or go for a lesser-known documentary, such as "Hiding in Plain Sight," about the mental health crisis among America's youth. The funds used to cover the cost of the screening and refreshments for those in attendance. Host a stress-reduction workshop Stress is perhaps one of the most common mental health afflictions, so a workshop dedicated to resolving it can have an outsized impact. Help attendees identify stressors and reduce tension by including stress-relieving activities like: Physical activity, such as dance, athletics, or exercise Organizing items, such as multicolored pins or patterns Silent meditation or repeating mantras for extended periods of time Laughing Yoga sessions Breath exercises What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The six county pilot project was expanded to the entire state. The hotline call volume is tracked monthly and there are now text and email options available. Additionally, up to six confidential sessions with a licensed counselor at no cost are available for individuals who reach out to the helpline. Farm families are able to receive telehealth conseling sessions if unable to meet in person. A community health worker was hired. USDA NIFA dollars were granted to the Illinois FFA Foundation to initiate a partnership. 20 grants up to $1,000 will be awarded to support FFA chapters implement local initiatives to encourage access to mental health resources.
Publications
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Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:Illinois Farm Families through outreach mechanisms, such as conferences and annual meetings. Changes/Problems:No major changes. Always working to increase outreach to get resources utilized more frequently. Increased outreach hopefully translates to increased awareness. Still trying to build momentum. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Information is presented at nearly all commodity organization annual meetings. Additionally, the IDOA contractual employee has been working with Minnesota Department of Agriculture to learn of their successes, especially in working through faith communities. Professional development modules are available on-line for healthcare professionals, which can count towards Continuing Medical Education credits. On-line professional development is also available for agriculture industry partners. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?We market FFRI helpline and other resources on a website (siumed.org/farm), through press releases, social media, distribution of promotional items. Additionally, a "road show" to several communities in Illinois took place in the fall to highlight the successes of the program and get the word out about the resources available to farmers and rural Illinoisans. Radio and television are also used as media outlets. Webinars and blogs continue to be developed. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Exploring how Minnesota's model of working with faith communities can be applied in Illinois. This would allow for greater reach in rural communities from a trusted source (i.e., place of worship, pastor, youth group). Plans to offer Rural Mental Health Summit bringing together stakeholders and rural mental health professionals. Adding other professional development opportunities. Continue to create additional resources for Illinois farm families.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The six county pilot project was expanded to the entire state. The hotline call volume is tracked monthly and there are now text and email options available. Additionally, vouchers are available for individuals who reach out through the helpline. Farm families are able to receive telehealth conseling sessions with certified/professional conselors. A community health worker was hired.
Publications
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