USU Extension Outcomes & Impacts

Volume 1, Issue 2

Focusing on Mental Health and Wellbeing

Utah State University Extension has been providing research-based resources and education since 1914. As such, we have a long history of working to improve the lives of Utahans.

Mental Health Month has been observed during the month of May in the United States since 1949. Though mental health and wellbeing is not always recognized as traditional Extension programming, it has been growing over the past 10+ years and is now a core Extension program area. We are proud of the efforts happening around the state to serve our communities and meet this important need.

Please read on to see the tremendous impacts USU Extension is having in Utah. Additionally, we invite you to view the results of our statewide survey identifying critical issues for Utah's communities as per County Commissioners and Councilmembers.

Critical Issues as Identified by Elected Officials

Read the results of our statewide survey here.

With advances in technology and internet speeds, remote work is increasingly popular as an alternative workplace arrangement.

In Utah, more people migrate out of rural communities in search of job opportunities, and businesses in urban areas struggle to find workers (Heaton, 2019). The Master Remote Work Leader (MRWL) certificate course was developed to provide specialized training for Utah’s organizational leaders in managing hybrid-remote and fully distributed employees.

Read the full article here.

In 2017, nearly 38,000 working-age people in the United States died from suicide. 36% of those suicides were in agriculture.

Many agriculture producers are seeking help to combat stress, mental illness, and suicide. Although some resources exist, there is a gap in resources specific to mental health in rural farm and ranch life. In response, Utah State University (USU) Extension developed a mental health education course to address stressors within agriculture.

Read the full article here.

Over $3.1 million dollars of food distributed to families and food pantries throughout Utah.

The need for food assistance increased by 300% among Utah families as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Farmers and ranchers were also adversely impacted by market losses and processing shortages. In response, Farmers Feeding Utah was developed and has shown success in connecting agricultural commodities to families in need.

Read the full article here.

Between 2010 to 2015, Utah experienced a 400% increase in deaths due to the misuse of prescription drugs.

A major issue in rural counties is the prevalence of substance misuse. USU Extension implemented a substance prevention program with youth in rural counties. The program included family- and school-based education activities to promote youth resiliency and development. Evaluation results showed youth exhibited strong anti-drug attitudes after the program.

Read the full article here.

Evidence suggests that the use of peer support in mental health and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment has positive impacts on recovery.

Utah State University (USU) Extension created a hybrid program to facilitate virtual and in-person learning to address barriers to participation of the Certified Peer Support Specialist (CPSS) trainings before and during COVID 19. This article provides an overview of the CPSS pilot program and discusses early program outcomes.

Read the full article here.

Click here to read the full issue of Outcomes & Impacts Quarterly

Read the full issue of the newsletter here.

For more information, please contact the editors:

Dr. Lendel Narine

Dr. Cris Meier

Andree' Walker Bravo

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