PROMISE Team Members

Dr. David Buys, MSPH, CPH
Project Codirector
State Health Specialist, MSU Extension Service
MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition, and Health Promotion
P.O. Box 9805
Mississippi State, MS 39762
david.buys@msstate.edu
662-325-3060 (office)
662-769-9830 (cell)

Mary Nelson Robertson, PhD
Project Coordinator
Extension Associate, MSU Extension Service
MSU Food Science, Nutrition, & Health Promotion
945 Stone Blvd
Mississippi State, MS 39762
mnr72@msstate.edu
662-325-3200 (office)

Alisha Hardman, PhD
Family Life Specialist, MSU Extension Service
MSU School of Human Sciences
P.O. Box 9745
Mississippi State, MS 39762
a.hardman@msstate.edu
662-325-7839 (office)

Laura Downey, PhD
Associate Extension Professor, MSU Extension Service
MSU School of Human Sciences
221 Lloyd-Ricks-Watson (255 Tracy Dr)
Mississippi State, MS 39762
laura.downey@msstate.edu
662-325-7690 (office)

Amanda Stone, PhD
Assistant Professor, MSU Extension Service
MSU Animal and Dairy Sciences
P.O. Box 9815
Mississippi State, MS 39762
amanda.stone@msstate.edu
662-325-3516 (office)

Je’Kylynn Steen
Graduate Research Assistant
MSU Food Science, Nutrition, & Health Promotion
945 Stone Blvd
Mississippi State, MS 39762
js3749@msstate.edu

Holli Seitz, MPH, PhD
MSU Department of Communication
P.O. Box 9574
Mississippi State, MS 39762
hseitz@comm.msstate.edu
662-325-7840 (office)

Daniel Williams, PhD
Psychologist
University of Mississippi Medical Center 2500 N State St
Jackson, MS 39216
888-815-2005
Other Partners:
- Ann Sansing, Co-Project Director
- Elizabeth G. North, Co-Project Director
- Emily Cox, Tishomingo County
- Beth Youngblood, Lee County
- Romona Edge, Itawamba County
- Rozelia Harris, Office of Rural Health
- Jennifer Pope, Bureau of Narcotics
- Ann Rodio, Department of Mental Health
- Meg Pearson, Department of Mental Health
Publications
News
STARKVILLE, Miss. – A Mississippi State University Extension instructor has been selected to a national Extension Foundation committee focused on improving mental health.
RAYMOND, Miss. -- Edward Jenkins manages his family’s small farm in Grace, Mississippi. It’s property that has been in his family since the 1940s.
Like other farms, Jenkins’ family-run operation is a delicate balancing act of making the right decisions and dealing with issues that are beyond a farmer’s control, including weather and markets. It’s a high-pressure business.
Life can be overwhelming sometimes, and stress is a normal part of life. Too much unchecked stress can lead to physical and mental health challenges that must be addressed. Know the signs to watch for and learn what to do when you or someone you know needs help.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- After natural disasters, food and shelter are prioritized well above mental health, but ignoring emotional distress can lead to serious physical health conditions.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- A Mississippi State University Extension Service mental health campaign continues to receive national recognition, this time from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Success Stories
When Kathryn Reed saw that young people in her community needed more opportunities to participate in activities to help them grow spiritually and personally, she took action.
“We have a lot of activities for adults in our community, but there was nothing for our pre-teens and teenagers,” explains Kathryn. “We are losing them when they get to that age.”
Extension destigmatizes mental health issues, one conversation at a time
When Colby Hardin first started working at the Arkansas Department of Corrections dairy farm, he prepared as if going to war.
In this "What's New in Extension," Extension agents implement better safety standards, train to deliver Mental Health First Aid, and receive national recognition. Also, new irrigation and specialists join the Extension family.