What I if I told you there was an Internet community for Latino and all teens to tell their stories and empower other youth who are battling depression or anxiety? Well, it exists, and that's Project UROK—"You Are Okay" or "You Rock"—is all about!
What is Project UROK?
Project UROK, a nonprofit created by writer/comedian Jenny Jaffe in 2014 and now part of the Child Mind Institute, aims to help youth and reduce the stigma around mental health. On the program's website, teens can register for a free, anonymous, safe account. Then they can comment on and favorite videos, from comedy sketches to informational videos to podcasts and scripted web series, and access resources for dealing with abuse, suicidal thoughts, alcohol and drug abuse, etc. They can even make their ...
Two majority-Latino communities are among the eight winners of this year's Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) Culture of Health Prize. Chelsea, MA (62% Latino) and San Pablo, CA (55% Latino) were chosen from 200 applicants along with Algoma, WI, Allen County, KS, Garrett County, MD, Richmond VA, Vicksburg, MS, the Seneca Nation of Indians in Western New York. These communities made strong efforts to ensure their residents have the opportunity to live healthier lives. Winning communities get a $25,000 prize and will have their inspiring stories shared by RWJF. “For the past five years, RWJF Culture of Health Prize communities have inspired hope across the country,” said Dr. Richard Besser, RWJF President and CEO in a news release. “We welcome these eight new prize ...
Nearly 1 in 5 Latino adults suffers a mental health problem, such as depression, anxiety, and traumatic stress. But what's the state of mental health for Latino kids? Use #SaludTues on Sept. 12, 2017, to tweetchat with us as we explore the new Salud America! "Healthy Minds and Latino Kids" research review! The new research review, to be released during the chat, will cover the latest data on mental health and access to care among Latino youth. The review also features programs and policies that promote healthy minds in communities, schools, and homes for Latino kids. WHAT: #SaludTues Tweetchat: Healthy Minds and Latino Kids
TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017
WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues
HOST: @SaludAmerica
CO-HOSTS: @APAEducation; ...
Latino youth are far more likely than their peers to have mental health issues, which often go unaddressed and untreated. Why? Immigration, cultural identity, poverty, bullying, discrimination and other factors create high levels of stress. But there’s good news, too. Interventions to reduce family, school and community stressors can have a positive effect on the mental health of this population. Promising policies, while few, also are emerging. Research Explore: Mental Health & Latino Kids ...
Since its inception, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) has become the most important anti-hunger program in the United States. The program has helped benefit millions of low-income Latino families out of poverty and support them by providing an “adequate diet.” Overall, Latinos have a higher poverty rate than the national average. According to a survey by the U.S. Census Bureau, in 2016, nearly 1 in 5 Latinos (21% overall) lived below the federal poverty line. This compares to the national average of 1 in 7 people. Latino households are also more likely to experience food insecurity on a regular basis compared to the national average. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which oversees SNAP benefits, recently announced awards of nearly $17 million to ...
Latinos are already the nation’s largest racial and ethnic minority group. They are also the youngest and fastest growing. As communities change to reflect these new and evolving dynamics, Latino health is going to be critical to the country overall for generations to come. Despite their numbers, many Latinos face numerous inequities and barriers that keep them from obtaining the best healthcare possible. These include lack of access, lack of health insurance, language barriers, and cultural stigmas. “As the nation’s largest and fastest growing ethnic group, it's important that all Latinos have access to affordable healthcare,” said Jose Calderon, president of the Hispanic Federation in a news release. In an effort to remove some of these barriers, communities across the ...
For many immigrant families, the current political climate adds a great deal of stress to their lives. Many Latinos already face inequities in health care; they are still the largest uninsured population in the U.S. In South Carolina (5.2% Latino population), this stress is now manifesting in even harsher ways. According to a report in The Post and Courier, many immigrant families in the state are not only foregoing health care services for the adult family members, but also their children. “We’ve gotten calls from the health department of mothers not coming to ... appointments, not showing up for immunizations,” said Julie Smithwick, executive director of the Latino assistance group PASOs. The statewide group connects Latino patients to health care resources across South ...
Yolanda Konopken knows 1 in 10 people have diabetes in Arizona. Her program to help families manage diabetes has been at full capacity for years at the Society of St. Vincent de Paul in Phoenix (41.3% Latino population). Konopken wanted to do more to prevent unhealthy weight from causing diabetes in younger children. She had an idea to start a new, bilingual education program to provide support and counseling for families with children at risk of diabetes. She worked hard to develop a bilingual curriculum and launch a fun program that involves the whole family in a series of culturally relevant classes to build children’s self-esteem and positive lifestyle behaviors, such as cooking healthier foods and getting active.
The Crisis of Obesity in Arizona Arizona has the ...
Newsflash: Men and women are different. Of course, men don't have to go through what many women go through in reproductive health, such as pregnancy, giving birth, and other issues. But men do fare worse in other heath conditions. Men die at higher rates than women for 8 of the 10 top causes of death. Men die at younger ages than women, and they are more likely to develop chronic diseases throughout their lifetimes, Livestrong.com reports. Among Latino men, the numbers are even starker. Latino men have lifespans that are 5 years shorter than Latinas. They are more likely to have undiagnosed mental health issues. For the National Men’s Health Month in June, let’s use #SaludTues to tweet about Latino men's health issues, solutions, and resources on June 6, 2017. ...
