FCS Advances Mental Health Literacy

"Wellness is a state of being in which individuals, families and communities are physically, mentally, and socially healthy."

• FCS Professionals offer education, collaboration, and community-based mental health literacy.
• FCS education provides a pathway for students to learn self-care strategies and career opportunities in social work, mental health, and counseling.
• FCS Professionals work with communities and policymakers to develop programs specific to the needs of individuals.
• The FCS Body of Knowledge includes the study of individual well-being, which includes a person's physical and mental health, knowledge and skills, values, and civic responsibilities.

Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) is the people-centered science, focused on the study of individuals, families, and communities with the aim of assisting them to live healthy and successful lives through the provision of education, research, and technology.

In support of mental health education and self-care, FCS professionals work as:

• Counseling and Mental Health
• Rehabilitation Counselors
• Individual and Family Services
• Social and Human Services
• Personal Care
• Child, Family, and School Social Work
• Social and Community Services
• Education and outreach coordinators for businesses and government agencies
• Educators in K-12, post secondary, and community (e.g., cooperative extension) education

FCS Professionals offer instruction, outreach programs, and resources to address key contributors to environmental stress, including:

"The role of Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) professionals is emphasized in translating policy into practice through education, collaboration, and community-based mental health literacy," April 2025, Link 

Tell Others about the Critical Role FCS plays in Mental Health Literacy - Go to Action Center

Taking Time for Self-Care - Expand Your Mental Health Literacy Knowledge - Click to download

Including Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) Professionals in Mental Health Literacy Programs - Click to download

1. Support the inclusion of Family and Consumer Sciences education in K-12 career and technical education.
2. Support state licensure requirements that include FCS credentialing.
3. Seek training and education from FCS professionals.
4. Encourage your learners to attend FCS classes in K-12 and higher education.
5. Hire experts in mental health and self-care that have graduated from a recognized FCS college or university program.
6. Share AAFCS educational materials, informational fliers, and resources with your family, friends, and colleagues.

Interview with Kristin Henkenius 

Kristin is a retired educator with 32 years of experience.  Kristin taught Family Consumer Science to middle and high school students and later served as a school counseling director for 18 years. 

Click Here to watch the recording 

More Resources: 

Nurturing Your Well-being - Link
Wellness: Revitalize Your Health - Link
Get Your Zzz's - Link
Communities Provide Support - Link
Good Food Good Mood - Link
Wellness Resolutions - Link
Supporting Family Caregivers - Link
How to "do" Mindfulness - Link
Financial Health Matters - Link
Mindfulness at Work - Link

"FCS plays a vital role in mental and physical wellness, with career paths focusing on adult education, health educators, and career counselors. The demand for mental health counselors is expected to grow by 10.6% from 2022-2032, while careers in health education are projected to grow by 7% (FCS Alliance, 2024)." A Comprehensive Framework for Family and Consumer Sciences (FCS) in Career and Technical Education (CTE), 2024, Link

FCS Research into Mental Health and Wellness

 Leading with Emotional and Social Intelligence: Implications for FCS Professionals
Holland, J. M. (2021). Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, 113(2), 62–68.

An Untenable Workload: COVID- 19 and the Disproportionate Impact on Women’s Work-Family Demands
Pettigrew, R. N. (2021). Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, 113(4), 8–15.

Effects of Self‐Discrepancy and Self‐Schema on Young Women's Body Image and Self‐Esteem after Media Image Exposure
Ui-Jeen Yu, Jaehee Jung, Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, Volume 47, Issue 2, December 2018, Pages 142-160

Loneliness and social isolation - A private problem, a public issue
Williams, S. E. & Braun, B. (2019). Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 111(1), pp 7-14.

Social and emotional competence, the benefits of humor on agenda for 2019 annual conference
Jackson, C. W. (2018), Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 110(1), p 5

The Examination of Psychological Factors and Social Norms Affecting Body Satisfaction and Self-Esteem for College Students
Hyo Jung (Julie) Chang, Chompoonut Suttikun, Family and Consumer Sciences Research Journal, Volume 45, Issue 4, June 2017, Pages 422-437

Using Interagency Partnerships To Establish Neighbor-to-Neighbor Programming: Supporting Rural Mental Health
Franzen-Castle, L., Krehbiel, M., Elsen, K., Chasek, C., & Schwarz, C. (2022). Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, 114(1), 34–37.

Changes in body esteem after viewing a 3D full-body representation of oneself
Lafever, H. A., Brinthaupt, T. M., Cottle, F. S. & Asbury, M. B. (2019). Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences 111(4), pp. 24-34

FCS Professionals Addressing Social Isolation Needs: From Rural Extension Programs to Mindfulness Post-Pandemic
Hagan, E. (2022). Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, 114(3), 7–10. 

Off the Mat: The Practice of Yoga and Mindfulness To Foster Hope and Resilience for Adolescents in Homes and Classrooms
Peterson, T. K., & Dutton, C. (2022). Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, 114(3), 38–44.  

Stress management through the lens of Family and Consumer Sciences
Ritter, Mickala; Kandiah, Jay; Saiki, Diana. Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, Volume 110, Number 2, Spring 2018, pp. 49-54(6)

Wellness and Well-being: A Decade Review of AAFCS Journals (2009–2019)
Kihm, H. S., & McGregor, S. L. T. (2020). Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, 112(3), 11–22.

A Qualitative Evaluation of a Fitness and Nutrition-Focused Wellness Program
Deanida Andrews, Virginia B. Gray, Christine Galvan, Ayla Donlin, Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, Volume 46, Issue 1, September 2017, Pages 70-81

Chronic Conditions, Medical Out-of-Pocket Expenditure Burden, and Perceived Health
Sophia T. Anong, Patience Ajongwen, Sheenu Chandwani, Family & Consumer Sciences Research Journal, Volume 45, Issue 2, December 2016, Pages 150-165

Increasing at-risk youth self-reported and objectively measured physical activity in an afterschool program.
Walther, A., Dunker, T., Franzen-Castle, L, & Krehbiel, M. (2018). Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 110(1), pp 59-63.

Smart technology for health and well-being
Pedersen, Carmen; Holland, Amanda, Journal of Family & Consumer Sciences, Volume 110, Number 2, Spring 2018, pp. 55-56(2)

Sustaining the Future: Focus on R & R
Myers, L. A. (2021). Journal of Family and Consumer Sciences, 113(1), 6–6.