NNLM Region 5 - WSU Subaward - Y1

The aims of the Community Partnerships to Address Mental Health Literacy and Stigma in Rural Northeastern Washington project are to increase mental health literacy, reduce stigma regarding mental illness, and ultimately improve mental health outcomes among adolescents in Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille Counties in rural areas of Eastern Washington. Working with the Northeast Tri-County Health District, local school districts, local county and tribal libraries, and Washington State Libraries, the project investigators’ team will:

decrease stigma and improve mental health literacy among adolescents by offering the National Library of Medicine’s (NLM) “Graphic Medicine and Mental Health” course through Stevens County public schools;
promote self-reflection and awareness of NLM resources among adult community members in Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille Counties by offering creative journaling workshops through public libraries; and
increase awareness of and access to NLM resources on mental illness among public and school librarians of Ferry, Stevens, and Pend Oreille Counties by distributing Network of the National Library of Medicine (NNLM) materials, supporting the public display of the NLM traveling exhibition “Graphic Medicine: Ill- Conceived and Well-Drawn!” at public libraries, and developing educational webinars focused on evidence- based healthcare and consumer mental health resources available through NNLM.

The Community Partnerships to Address Mental Health Literacy and Stigma in Rural Northeastern Washington project (performance period May 1, 2021- April 30, 2022) is designed to serve as a feasibility pilot, expanding on existing efforts, that will reach 48 youth aged 14-17 years in Stevens County, increase awareness and access to NLM resources on mental illness in 2 additional rural Washington State counties of Ferry and Pend Oreille; support the virtual “Graphic Medicine: Ill-Conceived and Well-Drawn!” traveling exhibition at public libraries, and offer educational webinars focused on evidence-based healthcare and consumer mental health resources available through NNLM.