Behavioral Health Prevention and Treatment for American Indians and Alaska Natives

The Native Center for Behavioral Health at the University of Iowa has partnered with the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board's Native American Research Center for Health to offer a unique intensive training opportunity for Native students and behavioral health professionals serving Indigenous populations. 

The Behavioral Health Prevention and Treatment for American Indians and Alaska Native track examines the need for culturally appropriate research to guide interventions for the prevention and treatment of mental health, substance use and suicide concerns in American Indian and Alaska Native communities.

This intensive research-focused experience requires completing a one-week (virtual) class September 19-23, 2022 (8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Pacific). After completing the week-long session, interested students can apply to receive additional training and support via monthly web meetings (October 2022 to May 2023). 

Students in the extended training will receive support from a Native research mentor to complete a capstone project (either solo or in pairs), and present results to the group at the final video meeting in May 2023. Students who complete a capstone project will receive a completion certificate. Students who attend only the week course will receive a course participation certificate. (Max enrollment for the extended training: 8) 

Culturally Informed: Presentations identify risks contributing to the development of problems, culturally driven prevention strategies, and effective treatments and outline indigenous research methods, including tribally driven participatory research and implementation science.

Content: Course content includes discussions of special populations (e.g., Native veterans and individuals who identify as Native LGBTQ+/Two Spirit), historical trauma and trauma-informed care, indigenous methods for problem assessment and culturally appropriate interventions, discussion of research supported by National Institute on Drug Abuse and National Institute of Health, and services and evaluation provided by the Indian Health Service and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.