Urban American Indian/Alaska Native youth suffer higher rates of depression, which can be attributed to isolation from tribal lands and identity, lack of adequate mental health care, and financial instability. They are often geographically dispersed and disconnected from other urban AI/AN youth. Overcome with a high prevalence of alcoholism, and increased risk for suicide and mental health issues, the need for better systems of care and improved community capacity to support urban AI/AN youth is a high priority.
Through the development of a National Urban Indian Youth and Young Adult Advisory Council, NCUIH seeks to develop a community-driven comprehensive urban youth suicide and substance abuse response plan for urban Indian communities to provide prevention and recovery support to AI/AN young people under 24 years of age.
The NCUIH Youth Advisory Council will promote peer level awareness and support for youth and young adult AI/ANs living in urban areas. Youth Council members will promote awareness of substance misuse, trauma, suicide prevention, and mental health among peers on a local and national level.
Application:
- Youth Council Application
- Adult Reference *option to include a 2nd Adult Reference
- Optional Peer Reference
- FAQs document
Time Commitment:
- NCUIH expects that youth and young adults selected for the National Youth Advisory Council will commit to a 12-month term beginning June 1st, 2020, and ending May 31st, 2021.
- NCUIH will convene monthly, virtual meetings with Youth Council members based on shared availability.
- First Virtual Meeting – Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 – Time TBD
Eligibility:
- American Indian/Alaska Native living in urban communities, off reservations between the ages of 18-24
- Youth Council applicants must be 18 years of age by the application deadline of 11:59 PM Eastern Time on MONDAY, April 6th, 2020.
- Able to engage in a 12-month commitment with NCUIH beginning June 1, 2020, and ending May 31, 2021
- Youth Council members must have a desire and willingness to grow by serving as youth leaders representing urban communities
- Complete Youth Council Application and obtain an Adult Reference by 11:59PM Eastern Time on April 6, 2020
- Applicants also have the option to obtain a Peer Reference or an additional adult reference
- Attend a 3-day, in-person Orientation on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, June 17th-19th, 2020, in Washington DC (expenses paid by NCUIH)
- Attend NCUIH’s 2021 Annual Leadership Conference, Location TBD (expenses paid by NCUIH)
- Presence at monthly virtual check-in meetings between June 2020 – May 2021
- 1st Virtual Meeting – Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020, Time TBD
- Continued participation on work for Youth Council project assignments
- Accessibility via phone and e-mail
- Accessibility to virtual calls via computer or internet-capable phone
- NCUIH expects that youth and young adults selected for the National Youth Advisory Council will commit to a 12-month term beginning June 1st, 2020, and ending May 31st, 2021.
- NCUIH will convene monthly, virtual meetings with Youth Council members based on shared availability.
- First Virtual Meeting – Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020 – Time TBD
Benefit:
- There will be no costs associated with membership in the NCUIH National Youth Advisory Council. Any travel, lodging, meals, registration or other expenses will be covered by NCUIH.
- A modest stipend will be provided.
- Training to improve awareness regarding positive mental health practice
- Promotion of suicide and substance misuse prevention
- Strengthening peer-support surveillance, motivational interviewing skills, and providing a space for cultural connections
- Creating campaigns for the peer-level prevention of suicide, substance abuse and mental health challenges
- Understanding the seven sacred teachings (love, courage, honesty, respect wisdom, truth, and humility) for sharing experiences and overcoming open communication barriers among peers
- Building leadership and professional development skills
- Building self-care and wellness skills
- Building advocacy-based policy skills
- Strengthening team-building skills
Summary:
- Deadline: April 6th 2020
- Benefit: fully funded
- Duration: 12 months ( June 1,2020 – May 31 ,2021)
- To apply: https://www.jotform.com/NCUIH/ncuih-yac-2020-application
- More Information: https://www.ncuih.org/ncuih_youth_council
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