MISSISSIPPI STATE – Marriage education providers will gather Feb. 12 in Jackson as part of a statewide initiative to raise awareness about the benefits of a healthy marriage and resources for troubled relationships.

Healthy Marriage Week, which is Feb. 7-14, is a promotional campaign of the Mississippi State University Extension Service focusing on the state’s Healthy Marriage Initiative. The Feb. 12 event includes Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour signing a proclamation of Healthy Marriage Week on the Capitol steps, a luncheon sponsored by the Mississippi Department of Human Services and an afternoon training session.

Also present for the governor’s declaration and the news conference that follows will be state Lt. Gov. Phil Bryant and executive director Don Thompson of the state Department of Human Services.

The luncheon and training session will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Jackson. The event is open to faith-based leaders, social workers, counselors and individuals interested in making marriages healthy and strong.

The event is free, but registration is required for the luncheon and training.

All faith-based leaders who attend will be encouraged to sign the Mississippi Marriage Covenant, in which they commit to offer premarital counseling to every couple they marry and provide ongoing resources for strengthening married couples and families.

“The covenant is a way for faith-based leaders to proclaim they value marriage as an important and viable institution, and recognize their responsibility to prepare couples for a lifetime commitment,” said Tabitha Staier, Extension family education specialist.

Adults who make their marriage a healthy haven often have better mental and physical health, increase their productivity at work and raise their standard of living.

When the marriage is healthy and communication is open, children have better chances to avoid physical and emotional health problems, reduce their risk of alcohol and substance abuse, perform better in school and be less susceptible to juvenile delinquency, Staier said.

Information on relationship help and free, downloadable resources promoting Healthy Marriage Week are available at http://www.MarriageMississippi.com. The Web site is Extension’s contribution to the promotion of the Mississippi Healthy Marriage initiative.

To learn more about Healthy Marriage Week or to register for the Feb. 12 luncheon and training event, contact Staier at (662) 325-3080 or register online at www.MarriageMississippi.com.