University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension is expanding rural mental-health outreach. Family life specialist Brittney Schrick completed facilitator training for COMET (Changing Our Mental & Emotional Trajectory), a rural-focused program that teaches supportive conversations before a crisis — not only emergency intervention.
Extension is also expanding Youth Mental Health First Aid for adults who work with ages 12–18, with a training planned in each of Arkansas’s three geographic districts beginning in December. 4-H agents are a first priority; other agents can access the training.
SE Arkansas farm families, lenders, agents, and 4-H volunteers should ask their county Extension office for local schedule details and farm-stress materials — iSEARK will not invent appointment slots.
Official: UAEX — Extension expanding rural mental health training in Arkansas (Sept. 17, 2026).
