Description

This training explores the burden of mental illnesses and the disparities in access to treatment, particularly for underserved and minoritized populations. The course emphasizes the role of social determinants of health, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, in exacerbating these inequities. Participants will learn strategies to promote mental health and health equity, especially among youth, and gain insight into ongoing research aimed at reducing disparities. The course also covers how mental health is about more than just avoiding illness—it’s about maintaining balance. Participants will discover six intentional ways to improve their mental health daily through small habits like habit stacking and prioritizing rest. Furthermore, the training emphasizes a whole-person approach to mental health, highlighting the importance of using a variety of treatments—including conventional, integrative, and lifestyle approaches—to address mental health needs, underscoring that there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

Target Audience

This training video will be helpful to:

Community health workers
Mental health professionals
Youth advocates
Healthcare providers
Social service providers
Educators
Individuals interested in improving mental health equity

Learning Outcomes

After completing this training, you will be to:

Understand the Burden of Mental Illnesses: By the end of the training, participants will be able to explain the burden of mental illnesses and identify how these conditions impact underserved and marginalized populations disproportionately.
Discuss Social Determinants of Health: Participants will be able to describe the role of social determinants of health in mental health treatment access and outcomes, illustrating how these factors contribute to health disparities.
Evaluate the Impact of COVID-19: By the conclusion of the training, participants will be able to discuss how the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing inequities in mental health care, providing specific examples of these effects on vulnerable populations.
Explore Strategies for Promoting Health Equity: Participants will be able to identify and propose at least two strategies for promoting health equity and reducing disparities in mental health treatment, particularly among youth, based on ongoing research findings.
Understand Mental Health vs. Mental Illness: Participants will gain an understanding of the distinction between mental health and mental illness, and learn how to proactively maintain mental well-being before mental illness arises.
Recognize the Importance of Small Habits: Participants will explore how small, intentional habits have a significant impact on mental health, and how they can be integrated into daily routines.
Implement Strategies for Intentional Mental Health: Participants will learn about six key strategies to incorporate into their daily life to be more intentional about maintaining their mental health.
Reframe Rest for Better Mental Health: Participants will gain insight into the importance of rest and learn how to reframe their relationship with rest by integrating it into their daily life as a tool for mental well-being.
Define Whole Person Approach: Participants will be able to define the whole person approach to mental health and explain its significance in addressing the complexities of mental health problems.
Explore Treatment Options: Participants will be able to identify and describe various treatment options for mental health, including conventional treatments, integrative approaches, and lifestyle changes.
Recognize Individual Needs: Participants will be able to articulate the importance of a personalized treatment plan, emphasizing that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health treatment.
Develop a Treatment Strategy: Participants will be able to create a preliminary strategy for addressing their own or others' mental health needs by integrating different treatment options that align with individual preferences and circumstances.

Key Topics

Disparities in mental health treatment and outcomes
Social determinants of health and their impact on mental health
COVID-19’s effect on mental health disparities
Strategies to promote health equity among underserved and minoritized populations
The importance of small, intentional habits for mental well-being
Habit stacking and prioritizing rest for mental health improvement
The whole-person approach to mental health
Integrating conventional, integrative, and lifestyle treatments
Personalized mental health treatment approaches