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
RAYMOND, Miss. -- Over-the-counter medications and supplements seem safer than prescription drugs, but a dramatic rise in pediatric melatonin overdoses serves as a warning that these products can be dangerous and must be stored safely.
A recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found a 530% increase in melatonin overdose in children from 2012 to 2020. Most of these ingestions were unintentional and occurred among children 5 or younger in their homes.
STARKVILLE, Miss. -- For Nathan Casburn, the land that has been in his family since the early 1900s is now more than simply his workplace.
The Tallahatchie County farm is a place of healing from an opioid addiction that began with pain medication prescribed after he was in a car accident during high school.
Casburn explained in a miniseries titled “On the Farm” that one of the biggest hurdles in his recovery was “saying I can’t do this on my own, and I need help with this.”
LOUISVILLE, Miss. -- Jim McAdory wears many hats. On any given day, the Mississippi State University Extension Service agent fields calls from local cattle farmers, teaches kids about the importance of daily nutrition, and tests soil to diagnose front yard and garden harvest problems -- all before lunch.
Based in Winston County, McAdory recently gained an additional role: Mental Health First Aid instructor.
Colby Hardin managed his depression since he was diagnosed at 18. With medication, he kept it under control throughout college, while working at Mississippi State University's dairy farm.
To some people, farming is an idyllic way of life, but producers face some unique stressors that can impact their well-being. In fact, a national poll by the American Farm Bureau Federation in 2019 confirmed that about two in five farmers and farm workers reported experiencing increased stress levels and more mental health challenges since 2014.
Success Stories
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.