IMAGINE - Implementing Mental Health Activities for Gains In Experiences - As a community we need to imagine a world in which our children’s emotional needs are met in a holistic way. This project is an effort at manifesting this vision. Project IMAGINE (Implementing Mental Health Activities for Gains IN Experiences), led by About Our Kids, Inc. (AOK) will train over 2,000 caring adults and high school students in Lamar, MO with the aim of significantly increasing mental health awareness and access to care.
The project will serve, primarily, youth in Barton County, Missouri. A total of an estimated 1,540 adults, including 130 teachers, will be trained in Mental Health First Aid (youth version); approximately 700 high school students will be trained in the teen Mental Health First (MHFA) Aid; approximately 27 EMTs will be trained in the first-responder version of MHFA and approximately 50 law enforcement officers will be trained in Crisis Intervention Teams (youth version). Each year between 438-526 individuals will receive training.
In addition to the provision of training, AOK will lead a consortium of community partners to establish a referral protocol - which will be followed by all individuals trained - to help navigate people (primarily youth) with suspected mental health issues/ illnesses to appropriate care within the community. In addition, the IMAGINE includes funding for a part-time (25%) Community Paramedic to assist with non-emergency care throughout the community. This is particularly important because Lamar is a 100% rural area with no free clinic within 47 miles and limited public transportation, so access to care and medications is often difficult for community members to access; the Community Paramedic will directly address this barrier to care.
Specific goals and objectives of the project (annotated) include:
Goal 1: Deliver actionable mental health training to individuals in the Lamar/ BC community who have frequent, direct contact with young people, resulting in a measurable increase in the provision of mental health services. Objectives: Train: 148 middle and high school teachers in Lamar, 500 parents, 700 high school students (10-12 grade), 400 community members within faith-based community, 50 police officers, 27 EMTs.
Goal 2: Mental health awareness will become part of the organizational culture within: Lamar R-1 Middle and High schools, About Our Kids, Inc., faith-based organizations in Barton County, and throughout public safety departments in BC. Mechanisms for identifying and referring individuals with suspected mental health issues will be established. Objectives: Train 15 trainers within the community to train on the MHFA youth curriculum; incorporate new mental health policies/ protocols into Barton County institutions; Establish the Community Paramedic as a permanent position in the EMS department.
