November 9, 2011
1:00-2:15 ET
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A new report on the mental health of Native American youth tells a troubling and all too familiar story. American Indian and Alaska Native youth struggle disproportionately with serious depression, substance abuse and other mental and behavioral health concerns. The adolescent suicide rate for youth in Indian country remains at more than twice the national average.

Against this disturbing backdrop, local tribal communities are implementing mental health screening initiatives that are known to make a difference – identifying at-risk youth and improving access to the mental health services they need.

This special webinar event, co-sponsored by the Center for Native American Youth at the Aspen Institute and the TeenScreen National Center, will highlight the impact of these school and clinic-based screening programs, and offer hands-on tips for incorporating adolescent screening in tribal communities.

Patrick Carroll, MD, a specialist in adolescent medicine,  discusses his screening experiences at the Navajo Area Indian Health Service. Renée Ouellet of the La Frontera-EMPACT-Suicide Prevention Center highlights the school-based screening efforts in the Gila River Indian Ak-Chin Indian Communities.

Christina Newport, Program Manager, at the TeenScreen National Center will provide an overview of TeenScreen’s program and resources.