AI/AN youth are strong and resilient. In recognition of Bullying and Violence Prevention Month in October, we’ve gathered some resources you can use to help nurture bystander and mental health skills with the youth that you work with.
The BRAVElesson plans were designed for American Indian and Alaska Native teens and young adults to amplify and reinforce healthy social norms and cultural values, teach suicide warning signs, prepare youth to initiate difficult conversations with peers and trusted adults, encourage youth to access mental health resources (i.e. tribal clinics, chat lines), and connect youth to trusted, caring adults. The Facilitator Manual can be flexibly delivered in three flexible formats.
The program includes text messages, role model videos, and small group activities. The lessons can be delivered by schools, treatment or detention centers, and other community-based programs. Program participants reported improvements in mental health, reductions in alcohol & drug misuse, improvements in resilience and coping skills, and better self-esteem – even as it was delivered in the midst of the COVID pandemic.
The Gather phase of the Implementation Toolbox has a Community Needs and Resource Assessment template that can help you identify health priorities with program partners. There are several options in the template that you can use to engage partners in the planning process, with different strategies to collect feedback from different audiences and age groups.
We are constantly working on the HNY website to make it easier to navigate. The Resources tab has a new Resource Library. You can now filter and search to find HNY templates, Community of Practice recordings, media campaigns, stand-alone lessons, and text message campaigns.
Community of Practice
Sexual Health in Indian Country & Alaska Today – 10/26
The Community of Practice registration page has a new set-up, to make it easier to register for the Fall Part 1 – Healing & Hope series.
We hope it syncs well with your calendars! On 10/26, join us to get the latest breakdown on tackling sexual health in schools to build confidence advocating for youth in your community.
The Healthy Native Youth team kicked off the 2022-2023 Community of Practice season with a 90-minute discussion about creating safe spaces in the classroom, particularly for Two Spirit youth.
The latest Native STAND article has hit the press! A “Qualitative Review of Barriers and Facilitators Identified While Implementing the Native STAND Curriculum in a Multisite Dissemination and Implementation Study.”
The study is among the first to assess facilitators and barriers to program delivery in diverse AI/AN settings. A shout out to the Native STAND Nation as they lead by example for Healthy Native Youth!
