The Navajo Prep Naat’áanii Youth Council recently completed an intensive learning experience through the Indigenous American Youth Adult Community Health Worker Training Program, sponsored by the Morehouse School of Medicine. With 25 youth participants, the program was designed to equip Native youth with knowledge and tools to address critical health issues within their communities—particularly those related to mental health, substance abuse, and suicide prevention.
As part of the program, students completed 20 online learning modules through Canvas. These modules covered a wide range of topics including mental health awareness, substance and alcohol abuse prevention strategies, and suicide intervention approaches—all from a culturally competent perspective. The training emphasized real-world application, empowering participants to take what they learned and apply it directly within their communities.
To meet the program’s requirements, youth council members also launched a community health awareness campaign, and conducted health monitoring activities focused on both mental and physical wellness. This hands-on component deepened their understanding of the social and emotional challenges facing their peers, while reinforcing the importance of proactive, culturally grounded health education.
Through their participation, the Naat’áanii Youth Council demonstrated their leadership and commitment to mental wellness advocacy. By engaging in this national initiative, they continue to model how Indigenous youth can be powerful agents of change—championing health, resilience, and community care from within.