The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter was recently recognized as a grant recipient for the Minnesota FFA Foundation’s “Bend, Don’t Break Mental Health Wellness Program.”
The Bend Don’t Break Mental Health and Wellness Program is an important program that supports youth in our community. This program ensures that our students and teachers, the leaders of tomorrow, are taken care of. The Minnesota Soccer Federation takes a position on mental health.
School classes started a few months ago. Students are obsessed with balancing academics and extracurricular activities. Teachers create lesson plans and grade student work. However, these tasks can also be stressful. Stress can cause mental health concerns. Research shows that 3 in 10 students suffer from poor mental health. To support this concern, the Minnesota FFA Foundation partnered with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture to promote mental health among Minnesota agricultural education students and teachers.
“We are proud to lend our voices and efforts to the important work of supporting the agricultural community through the Bend Don’t Break program. FFA members have long played an active role in supporting our communities. This program aligns with our efforts to support schools and communities in the critical area of rural mental health. Our partnership with the Minnesota Department of Agriculture extends our services across Minnesota. It’s a valuable partnership with the more than 40,000 students we serve.” Shared by Executive Director Val Aalsvold.
This initiative provided funding to 29 FFA chapters in Minnesota to implement mental health wellness programs in schools and communities. This grant process respects that there is no one way to share a message of awareness and support available to those feeling the effects of stress, and allows FFA chapters to address the mental health needs of their communities. I encourage you to work on it.
Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter has been selected as a recipient of the Bend Don’t Break Grant. The Sleepy Eye FFA Chapter created and distributed 300 wellness kits to all of her 7-12 students at Sleepy Eye Public and to her FFA members at St. Mary’s School and Her MVL School . The kit includes his 10 items: uplifting quote cards and stress balls, fidget keychains, lip balm, Tic Tacs, mini stuffed animals, and snacks (rice crispy bars, mini Pringles, fruit snacks, M&M’s) was included.
This research was supported by Farm and Ranch Stress Support Program Award No. 1. 2021-
70035-35461 from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the Minnesota Department of Agriculture.
For more information or questions about getting involved with the Minnesota FFA Foundation’s Bend, Don’t Break Mental Health Wellness Program, please contact Amanda Sommers at 507-461-2214.