When behavioral health organizations create environments that are diverse, inclusive, and equitable, staff are more likely to feel valued, experience a sense of belonging, and want to stay. Creating this kind of work environment often involves examining and breaking down structures, policies, and practices to address barriers and challenges that individuals experience. How can organizations […]
Peer support
Gathering of Native Americans Builds Resiliency Among Native Youth
For native youth growing up in cities, feelings of isolation and lack of cultural identity can put them at greater risk for making unhealthy choices, including the use of alcohol and other drugs. To address these risk factors, the Native American Health Center (NAHC) sought to create an opportunity where local youth could come together […]
IMARA: Family-based HIV Prevention Program for African American Teens and their Mothers
Informed, Motivated, Aware, and Responsible about AIDS (IMARA) is a family-based HIV prevention program that helps African American teenagers and their mothers work together to address risk behavior, improve parent-teen communication, and practice conflict resolution. IMARA aims to reduce the incidence of HIV in black female populations through strengthening family relationships and reducing sexual behavior […]
Five Signs of Emotional Suffering in Nepali Language: A Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Toolkit
As the Behavioral Health Research Lead from the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Dr. Surendra Bir Adhikari led the Nepali translation of Five Signs of Emotional Suffering outreach toolkit in collaborative partnership with the Bhutanese Community of Central Ohio and Campaign to Change Direction, with support of Office of Behavioral Health Equity, Substance […]
First Responders Helping Others with Mental Health and Reminders to Care for Themselves
Creating Safe Scenes training course from SAMHSA is designed to help police, fire, and emergency medical services personnel respond to calls involving someone experiencing a mental health and/or substance use crisis. Creating Safe Scenes presents information about mental illnesses, substance use disorders, and trauma; offers guidance on de-escalating scenes with an individual in crisis; provides […]
The Value of Peer Support
When youth witness or experience a horrible event, they often do not have words to help make sense of what is happening and do not realize the potential for long lasting effects. It can be challenging to ask for help. As a result, youth often work to make sense of it alone. Managing these challenging […]