Extension Communications
3614 Administrative Services Building
Ames, Iowa 50011-3614
(515) 294-9915
9/11/02
Contacts:
Jim Meek, Extension to Families, (515) 294-1367, jmeek@iastate.edu
Laura Sternweis, Continuing Education and Communication Services, (515)
294-0775, lsternwe@iastate.edu
Visit Display 'Just for the Health of It'
AMES, Iowa -- Farm Progress Show visitors can deal with stress "Just for the Health of It" at the Iowa State University exhibit. That's the title of the display related to ISU Extension's Rural Mental Health Initiative. The Farm Progress Show is Sept. 24-26 near Alleman.
"We wanted to take a light-hearted approach to a serious subject," said Jim Meek, special projects manager for ISU Extension to Families. "Rural Iowans are under stress from weather, farm markets and the changing rural economy. We want people to feel at ease and know that they can get help."
The display provides information on dealing with stress as well as education on health and eating habits, community support, money management and farm financial analysis. Activities include blood pressure testing, stress level measuring, a survey on credit card use and a Web-based quiz on credit issues. ISU Extension educational materials will be available as well as information promoting the Iowa Concern hotline (800-447-1985, toll free), the ISU Financial Counseling Clinic (866-282-5813, toll free) and ISU Extension farm financial analysis.
Over the past year, ISU Extension has been delivering information and education to rural families and individuals under stress and linking them to mental health providers for counseling and other services, thanks to a special appropriation grant through the Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Agency (SAMHSA). Funding was renewed for a second year.
"Historically rural Iowans do not make use of mental health services until a crisis occurs," Meek said. Also, services in rural areas often are located a great distance from some families, and the office hours do not accommodate farmers' schedules. Farm and rural families may have limited financial resources, making it difficult to pay for services. Others feel there is a stigma associated with the use of mental health services.
"We want to get past these barriers because simply put, mental health services can help relieve stress," Meek said. "Think of it this way -- if you had a physical problem, you would see a medical doctor. If you have trouble dealing with emotional or financial stress, you can get help, too."
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Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, or disability.