Preferred Sources and Senders of Mental Health Information Among FFA Youth Residing on Farms.

Nearly half of FFA Convention youth surveyed reported living on a farm or ranch.

• Total sample size was 386 youth surveyed at the National FFA Convention.
• Mean age was 16.13 years (SD = 1.15), with ages ranging from 14-18.
• 46.89% reported living on a farm or ranch at least 50% of the time.
• A convenience sample completed either a paper-based or online survey measuring demographics, preferred mental health information sources, and delivery modes.

Farm-residing youth were significantly less interested in receiving mental health information from medical doctors and mental health specialists compared to non-farm-residing peers.

• Farm-residing youth showed significantly less interest in receiving mental health information from medical doctors (p = .019).
• Farm-residing youth showed significantly less interest in receiving mental health information from mental health specialists (p < .001).
• Comparisons were made using independent samples t-tests.
• This pattern suggests farm youth may prefer non-traditional or non-medical sources of mental health information.

Among farm-residing youth, females showed significantly greater interest than males in receiving mental health information from multiple types of sources.

• Female farm-residing youth showed greater interest than males in receiving information from teachers (p = .040) and sport coaches (p = .034).
• Female farm-residing youth showed greater interest than males in receiving information from spiritual leaders (p = .039).
• Female farm-residing youth showed greater interest than males in receiving information from medical doctors (p = .009) and mental health specialists (p = .005).
• These sex-based differences were assessed using independent samples t-tests within the farm-residing subsample.

Farm-residing youth may be more interested in receiving mental health information from youth leaders and spiritual coaches than from individuals in traditional medical roles.

• Results suggest preferences for non-medical sources such as youth leaders and spiritual coaches among farm-residing youth.
• Authors note it is unclear whether this pattern reflects genuine preferences or barriers to accessing traditional mental health services in agricultural communities.
• The authors recommend additional research to distinguish between preference and access barriers.
• These findings are intended to inform the development of mental health programming specifically for agricultural youth.