Source: Ryley Butler Modaff, Extension associate for Access to 4-H Programming

 

As May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, it is a great time to recognize the importance of building strong foundations for mental well-being for all young Kentuckians. 

Youth who engage with Kentucky 4-H gain many important tools to support their well-being. Their involvement brings opportunities to build resiliency and create supportive social connections. This month, we encourage you to continue the work of supporting 4-Hers by involving them in activities that increase awareness of the topic and also strengthen their own mental health. 

Here are a few ways in which you and your youth can engage in Mental Health Awareness Month:

• Practice grounding techniques with your youth. These are quick exercises such as deep breathing or stretching that can help with reorienting emotions and connecting with the present moment. 
• Let youth know they can talk to you about mental well-being. Being present for youth allows them to feel safe and supported, and it helps them to develop resilience.
• Engage in and model self-care. Self-care looks different for everyone, but it is one of the best ways to look after your own mental well-being. When you engage in this practice, it models for youth that it is important for them to take care of themselves, too.
• Wear green on May 15.  Not only is green the color of 4-H, but it is also the international color of mental health awareness. On May 15, put on all your green for “Wear it Green Day” to support mental health.
• Become QPR trained. QPR, which stands for “Question, Persuade, Refer,” is a training program that provides you with three steps to prevent suicide. Free trainings are offered to residents of Kentucky through UK HealthCare. For more information, check online at https://kyqpr.ukhc.org/.
• Share about Mental Health Awareness Month on social media. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) provides an official 2025 Mental Health Awareness Month Toolkit that can be used, with adult guidance, to promote the month online to others. 
• Participate in the “In Every Story, There’s Strength” campaign of the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). Create a written story or video that touches on the topic of mental health, such as what you wish people knew or what inspires you to support mental health. With adult guidance, 4-Hers can share their stories on NAMI’s website at https://www.nami.org/get-involved/awareness-events/mental-health-awareness-month/.

There are many more ways to get youth involved and engaged during Mental Health Awareness Month. For more information on how you can participate in awareness initiatives and stay connected on the topic, visit https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month/action-guide/#action-all.

Additionally, you can connect with your (COUNTY NAME) Extension office to learn more about mental health-specific programs and resources that are available in your community. 

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Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expressions, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability.    

The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment news and communications team provides monthly Extension Exclusives in the categories of Horticulture, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 4-H and Family & Consumer Sciences. To see more exclusives, visit https://exclusives.ca.uky.edu.    

 

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