Friday, November 22, 2024
11/22/2024
The University of Missouri-St. Louis, Missouri Institute of Mental Health (UMSL-MIMH) will deliver an integrated substance use and mental health prevention intervention to minority youth ages 13-24, especially those at highest risk. The project proposes to incorporate the use of a behavioral therapist to assist with mental health well-being. The project entitled the SPF-PFS-Communities/Tribes, will allow UMSL-MIMH to partner with local health departments and other social service organizations to create infrastructure that will increase substance misuse and mental health prevention services for minority youth ages 13-24 and particularly African Americans. African American youth show vulnerability to violence, accidents, sexually transmitted diseases, HIV/AIDS, tobacco use, mental health issues, drug and alcohol misuse, teen pregnancy, as well as risk factors that lead to heart disease and cancer later on in life such as inadequate physical activity, smoking, and poor nutritional habits. UMSL-MIMH's integrated prevention intervention will help meet some of these challenges faced by African American youth by employing substance misuse and mental health prevention education workshops utilizing evidence-based practices coupled with the development and promotion of community prevention messaging and outreach activities. Additionally, a behavioral health therapist will assist participants in dealing with mental health concerns. The intervention plans to reach a total of 900 youth across the five-year grant cycle. Measurable outcomes include: 1) Increased knowledge about substance misuse; 2) Decreased substance misuse; 3) Decreased risk behaviors; 4) Increased mental health well-being; and 5) Increased community capacity to provide substance misuse and mental health prevention services.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).
