248693 How a youth-led Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) partnership addressed mental health disparities: From problem to program

Tuesday, November 1, 2011: 1:00 PM

Marni L. LoIacono Merves, MSW, MA , Preventive Intervention Research Center, Department of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Jamie Heather Sclafane, MS, MCHES , Preventive Intervention Research Center for Child Health, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Rosy Chhabra, PsyD , Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Ken Wilson, PsyD , Preventive Intervention Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
A.L.O.T. Albert's Leaders of Tomorrow , Albert's Leaders of Tomorrow (A.L.O.T.), Bronx Youth As Partners (BYAP), Preventive Intervention Research Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
Laurie J. Bauman, PhD , Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine/Yeshiva University, Bronx, NY
Developing programs in CBPR settings can be challenging, especially when the community is youth. We developed specific strategies to guide the conceptualization of intervention principles and apply them to program development. Albert's Leaders of Tomorrow (A.L.O.T.), our youth-led CBPR team, identified mental health as the most important health disparity facing Bronx Black and Latino youth. It identified three principles to guide interventions: 1) provide universal “positive” mental health programming; 2) provide affected teens with youth-friendly services in community settings where they already are, from clinicians they already know; and 3) use youth as ambassadors to other teens to educate and reduce stigma. Based on these principles, A.L.O.T. developed BxTHUNDER, a 14-session group-based youth development (YD) program that builds skills and competencies; educates about mental health symptoms and stigma; and incorporates strategies to manage stress. One-on-one counseling is available from facilitators (principle 2). BxTHUNDER culminates in an internship where participants educate peers through workshops (principle 3). A randomized trial of BxTHUNDER is being implemented in multiple community sites. We will describe strategies for collaborating with youth to design interventions (e.g., learning about existing program models; participating in elements of programs; defining positive mental health; expert consultation). Youth were able to articulate their needs and engage with adults to develop a sustainable youth-friendly program. The process was demanding and required both experiential and traditional learning strategies. A.L.O.T.‘s principles are innovative; BxTHUNDER is unlikely to have emerged without partnering with youth.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs

Learning Objectives:
1. Describe several steps toward engaging youth community partners in the process of intervention development 2. Explain the importance of developing positive mental health in all youth

Keywords: Community-Based Partnership, Adolescents