Citation

Crawford A, Graham B, Bloch A, Bornyk A, Ford S, Mastey D, Teddy M, Larsen CVL. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022; 19(20).

Copyright

(Copyright © 2022, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph192013290

PMID

36293871

PMCID

PMC9603623

Abstract

Strengths-based approaches to suicide prevention and life promotion in circumpolar regions must engage youth participation and leadership given the impact of suicide on this demographic. We describe the development of a youth-engaged community of practice (CoP) across circumpolar regions, and adaptations to the ECHO model as a foundation for this virtual CoP. We describe youth priorities for learning in the area of mental health and wellbeing, identified through a learning needs assessment. A curriculum was developed to address key areas of interest, including: cultural approaches to mental wellbeing; language-based approaches to mental wellbeing; resilience; government and policy; and suicide prevention. We describe steps taken to adapt the ECHO model, and to introduce Indigenous pedagogical and knowledge sharing approaches into the CoP in order to meet youth learning interests. We conclude that this virtual CoP was a feasible way to create a learning community, and suggest that a priority future direction will be to evaluate the impacts of this virtual CoP on youth engagement, satisfaction and learning.

Language: en

Keywords

Humans; culture; Adolescent; mental health; Mental Health; *Suicide Prevention; Needs Assessment; Technology; *Population Groups; circumpolar peoples; indigenous health; youth well-being