Tag: mental health

a group of people having a discussion

Mental Health First Aid: Building the Skills to Support Someone in Need

by Angelika Keene
August 6, 2026

Sometimes, the moments that matter most begin with something small—a simple question, a compassionate conversation, or noticing when someone does not seem like themselves. While we may not always know what someone is going through, small moments ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: 4-H, Agriculture, Brevard County, Family, Health, Mental Health, Mental Health First Aid, Special Topics, Youth
photo of bee on pink flower

Florida Heat Isn’t Just Hard on Your Plants—It’s Hard on You, Too

by Angelika Keene
July 21, 2026

As Florida Master Gardeners, we know summer gardening isn't for the faint of heart. We carefully watch our plants for signs of heat stress, adjust our watering schedules, and look for ways to help our gardens survive another hot, humid day. But ... READ MORE

Category: Agribusiness, Agriculture, Crops, Farm Management, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Forests, Fruits & Vegetables, Health & Nutrition, Home Landscapes, Horticulture, Lawn, Natural Resources, Recreation, UF/IFAS Extension, Water, Wildlife, Work & Life
Tags: Community Wellness, Fall Gardening, Florida Heat, Florida-Friendly Landscaping, Gardening, Heat Illness Prevention, Heat Safety, Hydration, Master Gardener Volunteer, Mental Health, Mental Health First Aid, Mental Wellness, Outdoor Safety, Self Care, Spring Gardening Summer Gardening, Stay Cool, Summer Gardening, UF/IFAS Extension, Vegetable Gardening, Winter Gardening
Group of people talking on a panel.

Prevention Before Intervention: A 4-H Community Pride Project

by Dr. Rachel Pienta
June 3, 2026

Guest Author: Lani Lopez-Logan The Wakulla County 4-H Community Pride Project took a powerful step toward youth awareness and prevention this year with “Prevention Before Intervention,” a teen town hall created by youth, ... READ MORE

Category: 4-H & Youth, Clubs & Volunteers, Community Volunteers, Events, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Community Pride, Mental Health, Prevention, Service Learning, Stress Management, Teen Leadership
daisies in the sun

Mental Health Matters: Small Steps That Can Make a Big Difference This May

by Lori Wiggins
May 5, 2026

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness, reducing stigma, and encouraging conversations about mental and emotional well-being. While mental health has gained more attention in recent years, many ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Home Management, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: #TaylorCounty, Florida, Health, Healthy, Mental Health, UF/IFAS Extension
Potted plants being fertilized. Photo taken 09-30-25

Therapeutic Horticulture Program Awarded Burpee Grant

by Eva Sailly
March 31, 2026

On the south side of UF’s campus, between UF Health Shands Hospital and IFAS’s research greenhouses, is a small team making a deep impact. The greenhouse at Wilmot Botanical Gardens is home to UF’s Therapeutic Horticulture Program, where ... READ MORE

Category: Community Volunteers, Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Extension, UF/IFAS Teaching
Tags: Community Engagement, Experiential Learning, Horticultural Sciences, Horticultural Sciences Department, Horticulture Therapy, Leah Diehl, Mental Health, Student Health, Therapeutic Horticulture, Well-being, Wilmot Gardens

Spring Into Wellness: Step Outside for Your Mind

by Angelika Keene
March 27, 2026

There’s something about spring that feels like a fresh start. The days are longer, the air feels lighter, and everything around us is growing again. It’s a natural reminder that we can reset, too. But here’s something we often overlook—stepping ... READ MORE

Category: Agriculture, Professional Development, UF/IFAS Extension, Work & Life
Tags: Brevard County, Community Wellness, Green Time, Mental Health, Mental Wellbeing, Mind Your Mind, Outdoor Wellness, Season Of Growth, Self Care Is Essential, Time In Nature, Wellness At Work
A computer chip inside a motherboard.

Dr. Xiaoya Zhang Discusses AI in Family, Youth and Community Science Research at the UF/IFAS AI Summit

by Jessica Alday
March 13, 2026

At the UF/IFAS AI Summit, Assistant Professor Dr. Xiaoya Zhang presented her innovative, AI-powered research that investigated a support program for high-risk families. Her study examined the effectiveness of the Family Check-Up Online Program, ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, Relationships & Family, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: AI, AI Research, Artificial Intelligence, Department Of Family Youth And Community Sciences, Mental Health, Prevention Science, Youth Development And Family Sciences
Hand on a laptop keyboard.

A Prevention Scientist’s Journey to Address Teens’ Mental Health Online

by Jessica Alday
February 4, 2026

Josie Bryan is a Doctoral Candidate in Youth Development and Family Sciences (YDFS) in the UF/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences (FYCS). She conducts prevention science research that tries to understand teens' mental health ... READ MORE

Category: Health & Nutrition, UF/IFAS, UF/IFAS Research
Tags: Department Of Family Youth And Community Sciences, Digital Media, Mental Health, Prevention Science, Social Media, Youth Development, Youth Development And Family Sciences

Subscribe For More Great Content

IFAS Blogs Categories