National Health Outreach and Engagement Conference 2024

Jackson, R, Lindsay, A, Helm, M, and Horrillo, S.
Land grant organizations across the U.S. are designing, expanding, and implementing
integrated initiatives including those that serve at the intersection of mental health. No single
entity can solve the mental health crisis alone. Extension, however, is a trusted authority and is
uniquely positioned through integration and collaboration to address risk and protective factors
for youth prevention and recovery capital for individuals and families affected by mental health.
Extension programming should recognize and prioritize health-related and psychosocial
concerns that can improve overall health and well-being.

Rife with misinformation and stigma, mental health programming can be challenging. Many
Extension professionals fear this space and are overly cautious to “stay in their lane”, others
may simply lack knowledge about mental health, or may be misinformed about topics (e.g., the
role of Narcan in substance use). Rural communities are especially vulnerable as less than 10%
of those suffering attend self-help meetings or specialty treatment due to stigma heightened by
familiarity common in less populated communities.

Presenters will share a collaborative effort from the Western Region Mental Health Nutrition
Network that is addressing the intersection of nutrition and mental health. Diet and nutrition are
recognized as causes, modifiers, and mediators of mental health and illness. Low availability of
food, for example, is a major factor contributing to mental illness and high intake of ultra-
processed foods are also associated with mental illness. Yet, this relationship between mental
health and nutrition is also bi-directional. Food resource management can positively impact
mental illness and dietary interventions such as increased intake of fruit and vegetables have
been shown to be an effective component in reducing anxiety, mental disorders, and depressive
episodes, especially among women. Finally, while information, education, and dietary
interventions are recommended as part of integrated mental health recovery, there are also
challenges, such as the link between nutrition and substance use which can further trigger
reoccurrence in women who often have dieting and weight concerns, body dissatisfaction and
eating pathology.

This session will address these and other challenges and help attendees create solutions and
action plans to promote inclusivity related to mental health. Discussions will be multi-
disciplinary, addressing programming efforts related to poor diet, inactivity, substance use,
domestic violence, older adult challenges, parenting, youth (suicide, bullying, drugs/alcohol,
social media), incarceration, etc. Presenters from different disciplines will help Extension
professionals destigmatize a dire public health challenge, find ways to augment existing
recovery efforts, and facilitate a systematic approach to support and empower individuals.
Extension is already serving across various settings that, knowingly or unknowingly, engage
individuals who may be experiencing mental health concerns. While continuing to foster
opportunities to bring communities together and facilitate collaborations, Extension can
leverage strengths to impact the mental health crisis by building resilience in adults and youth,
supporting the health of the family, providing financial education, improving nutrition/food
security, and supporting the wellbeing of individuals and families