American Indian and Alaska native mental health research : journal of the National Center
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Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res · Jan 2016
Randomized Controlled TrialEntrepreneurship education: A strength-based approach to substance use and suicide prevention for American Indian adolescents.
American Indian (AI) adolescents suffer the largest disparities in substance use and suicide. Predominating prevention models focus primarily on risk and utilize deficit-based approaches. The fields of substance use and suicide prevention research urge for positive youth development frameworks that are strength based and target change at individual and community levels. ⋯ This paper describes the development and evaluation of a youth entrepreneurship education program in partnership with one AI community. We detail the curriculum, process evaluation results, and the randomized controlled trial evaluating its efficacy for increasing protective factors. Lessons learned may be applicable to other AI communities.
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Am Indian Alsk Native Ment Health Res · Jan 2016
American Indian veterans and VA services in three tribes.
The purpose of this project was to describe experiences of reservation-based American Indian (AI) veterans with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and to identify opportunities for improving care and services. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted with AI veterans, family members, and community members in three diverse tribes. ⋯ Family members, often main caregivers for AI veterans, lacked necessary resources, including sources for information, support services, and financial means to procure adequate care. A number of strengths also were identified, including local leadership and a strong community commitment to improve care for veterans.