Let’s talk about mental health: A needs assessment of agricultural youth leaders in Illinois

Barnett, Kaleigh N

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/121457 Copy

Description

Title

Let’s talk about mental health: A needs assessment of agricultural youth leaders in Illinois

Author(s)

Barnett, Kaleigh N

Issue Date

2023-07-20

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Rudolphi, Josie

Committee Member(s)

• Green-Miller, Angela
• Issa, Salah

Department of Study

Agricultural & Biological Engr

Discipline

Engr Tech & Mgmt for Ag Sys

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

• mental health
• farm
• agricultural youth
• adult agricultural leaders
• leadership

Abstract

Poor mental health and mental illnesses are prevalent health conditions with severe consequences in the agricultural industry. Current health promotion initiatives focus on the needs of adult producers; however, children and adolescents are present on farms, play an essential role on family farms, and are also susceptible. Agricultural youth leaders routinely interact with youth and could be instrumental in supporting mental health; however, little is known about their capacity to promote mental health or if they hold any stigmatizing views. As such, an online survey was developed and administered to 4-H leaders, Extension educators, Agricultural educators, and FFA advisors to identify their needs. This thesis aims to quantify how often adult agricultural leaders have mental health-related conversations with youth and comprehensively assess the factors hindering or supporting adult agricultural leaders’ facilitation of mental health discussions among agricultural youth. To accomplish this goal, we surveyed agricultural youth leaders in Illinois via an online survey in March and April 2022. The survey instrument included items that measured adult agricultural leaders’ frequency of mental health-related conversations with youth, perceived knowledge and confidence of mental health topics, and stigma. Our findings suggest a need to prioritize knowledge, confidence, and stigma in mental health literacy interventions for adult agricultural leaders in Illinois to promote the facilitation of mental health conversations with youth. Additional research should also consider agricultural youth perspectives and needs as receivers of mental health communication. The curation of a professional development program that addresses adult agricultural mental health communication barriers and incorporates the unique needs of agricultural youth could be effective for navigating the mental health crisis.

Graduation Semester

2023-08

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Kaleigh Barnett

Owning Collections