This initiative introduces an innovative adaptation of the High School & Young Adult Community Health Worker (HSYACHW) Training program, specifically tailored for Native American (American Indian)/Alaskan Native (AI/AN) communities. Building upon the successful model of the original HSYACHW Training Program, this culturally and linguistically appropriate program is designed to address the unique mental health and wellbeing needs of AI/AN youth.
This groundbreaking initiative strategically integrates three key components to foster mental health and wellbeing among young people within these communities. Firstly, it delivers comprehensive mental health literacy training to equip youth with essential knowledge and understanding. Secondly, it implements a community-based mental health intervention, incorporating a dynamic communication campaign alongside effective service linkages to ensure support is accessible. Finally, it establishes year-round engagement through consistent mental health screening and reinforcement of crucial lessons, creating a sustained impact. This virtual training and engagement opportunity extends to all high school students and recent graduates within identified AI/AN communities, fostering broad participation and community-wide benefit.
The program will unfold over a focused two-year period, with the core objective of training high school Community Health Workers to proactively engage their peers, schools, and wider communities. These trained individuals will champion strategies aimed at enhancing mental health and overall wellness, with a particular emphasis on mitigating the lasting effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Leveraging an established training infrastructure and the NCRN dissemination platform, the project aims to train 60 HSYACHWs within selected indigenous areas. These trained CHWs will become vital primary deliverers of mental health education directly within their schools and communities, ensuring peer-to-peer support and knowledge dissemination. Participants will actively contribute to the development and implementation of a compelling mental health public messaging campaign. This campaign will address critical topics such as stress management, substance and alcohol abuse prevention, and suicide awareness. Furthermore, they will acquire practical strategies for effectively managing mental health emergencies and collaborate with peers to spearhead community-based mental health initiatives, fostering a proactive and supportive environment.
A cornerstone of this initiative is the comprehensive training provided to student participants in essential Community Health Worker competencies. This training will emphasize key areas including COVID-19 education, mental health awareness and support, effective resource navigation, infection prevention and control practices, and strategies for mitigating the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on vulnerable populations. This robust curriculum will be delivered through the established HSYAHCW Online Training Curriculum, supplemented by youth-focused COVID-19 educational workshops, interactive mental health activities, peer-to-peer education methodologies, and the implementation of monthly health monitoring and wellness checks extended to peers, family members, and broader community members. This holistic approach ensures a comprehensive and impactful learning experience, empowering young community health workers to drive positive change.
