Mental Health

Published: 2019
By Jane Wolery

Mental health was one of the top three concerns identified in Teton County’s 2017 Community Health Needs Assessment and Improvement Plan. Depression, anxiety and stress were rated top mental health issues in Teton County. MSU Extension is meeting needs in Teton County through a variety of efforts. The Youth Aware of Mental Health (YAM) program reached 79 high school students in Teton County in 2018-19 and was offered to every ninth grade student in Teton County. The program includes five sessions with students learning about mental health, coping skills, depression, suicide and how to seek professional help. The program teaches students how to notice signs of mental health challenges in others and gives them a chance to practice approaching someone with concern about their wellbeing. Three months after participating in YAM, students report an increase in general mental health knowledge, significant decrease in depressive symptoms and a trending decrease in anxiety symptoms. Almost half of students reported they would seek help from school staff for assistance with feelings of suicide and 79% said they would seek help for depression. Montana ranks high among states on mental health disorder prevalence and low on access to mental health care. It has the highest suicide rate in the nation. Of Montana's 56 counties, 10 are classified as rural and 45 as frontier, accentuating distance challenges in accessing care. THRIVE online cognitive behavior therapy, a randomized clinical controlled trial from the MSU Center for Mental Health Research and Recovery, was promoted. The modules include training in assertive communication, constructive thinking and rewarding activities. More than 300 brochures on the program were distributed by MSU Extension in Teton County. In response to mental health issues in the agriculture sector, MSU Extension agent Jane Wolery taught a section of the Cropping Seminar in Teton County called, “Ag Under Pressure.” Producers had the choice to stay for the presentation or leave for lunch early and 90% stayed. Many sought additional resources directly following the program.