Goal #1: To prevent and reduce suicide among American Indian (AI) boys and their peers in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Objective 1: To sustain the peer-to-peer suicide prevention program, Hope Squad, at an elementary, middle, and high school in Anadarko, Oklahoma since the 2017-2018 academic year.
Goal #2: To improve the mental health and wellbeing of AI men and boys in the Oklahoma service area through knowledge empowerment, skill building, and cultural connection. Objective 2: To increase leadership skills and resiliency among AI men and boys that affirm their roles in the family and community.
- Since the 2017-2018 academic year, the Making Connections grant has sponsored Hope (Hold On, Persuade, Empower) Squad in three Anadarko Public Schools (APS).
- Fifty-six students from three Anadarko Public Schools participated in the Hope Squad program for the 2020-2021 academic year.
- Hope Squad members usually host a week of school-wide activities annually. These activities are a part of Hope Week activities, an event that is generally encourages by the Hope Squad organization. The three APS Hope Squads provide activities and messages of hope to their peers, as well as to local community groups. The Squads engage in RAWK (Random Acts of Warrior Kindness). The word Warrior is part of the APS slogan.
- We created mental health resource cards for Hope Squad students to share with their peers in the three Anadarko Public Schools (APS). Besides Movember’s SPTHB’s Hope Squad’s and APS’s logos, the wallet-size cards contain a lot of local and national mental health help lines; bullying, suicide, and age-appropriate mental health websites; information on how to help peers; and several warning signs to watch for to prevent suicide.
- We have worked with several community-based organizations to provide mental health support and services for schools in the SPTHB region.
- Through this grant, we have been sponsoring a male health track at our annual Tribal Public Health Conference since 2017.
- Every year, we plan activities to coincide with Men’s Health Month in June. We are also planning activities to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Month in May, Suicide Prevention Awareness Month in September, and Native American Heritage Month in November.
- We hosted a series of weekly webinars on various topics associated with men’s health in June 2020, men’s Health Month, during the height of the pandemic, when in-person activities were not possible.
- We have raised over $2000 as part of Movember’s annual fundraising campaign in November.
- We have participated in focus groups and presented at national conferences on issues related to American Indian men’s mental health and wellbeing.
- We have sponsored American Indian men to attend culturally appropriate trainings and workshops that focus on building leadership and mentorship skills.
- We have participated in listening sessions and national dialogues and discussions aimed at creating and improving policy surrounding male health, especially American Indian male health.
- We have created and disseminated messages of hopefulness and healing targeting American Indian male mental health and wellbeing in the forms of videos, podcasts, and printed information.
- We have hosted an American Indian men’s health fair, and in collaboration with community partners, we provided physical and behavioral health screenings for attendees.
- We have attended and participated in community partners’ health fairs and other events and activities where we disseminated gift bags filled with items and information meant to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing.
Behavioral Health Resources
Definition: Behavioral health encompasses traditional mental health and substance use disorders, as well as overall psychological well-being (Source: Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
Alcoholism Support and Therapy Options: www.AlcoholRehabGuide.org/Support
Firstep Men’s Recovery Program:
Firstep Programs are now OKARR (Oklahoma Alliance for Recovery Residences) certified, but what does that mean? It means that the Firstep Programs have met many checks and requirements for providing an environment and program that support recovery. More specifically, we focus on peer support, and connection to other recovery services and supports. Our goal is to help our residents build “Recovery Capital” (anything that helps them stay sober; some examples could be employment, peer support, 12-step meetings, medical care, etc.). OKARR is an evidence-based model, and is dedicated to upholding the following principles:
- Operate with Integrity
- Uphold Resident Rights
- Recovery-Oriented
- Peer-Staffed and Governed
- Promote Health
- Provide a Home
- Inspire Purpose
- Cultivate Community
- Promote Recovery
- Promote Health & Safety
- Are Good Neighbors
Please contact the facilities directly if you want to make a referral. Here is the contact information:
Men’s Recovery Program Phone: 405-799-7540
Fax 405-799-7528
Website: http://okcmetroalliance.com/firstep/
Man Therapy:
Man Therapy® is giving men a resource to help them with any problem that life sends their way, something to set them straight on the realities of suicide and mental health, and in the end, a tool to help put a stop to the suicide deaths of so many of our men. For more information about Man Therapy, visit https://mantherapy.org/
Mental Health Association Oklahoma Men’s Mental Health Support Group:
This group is for men who are seeking additional support for life stressors and mental and emotional well-being. The group facilitators are D.J. Mercer and Kenya Williams. The support group meets virtually on Thursdays from 6 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. New members can sign up by calling 918-585-1213 or completing the registration form using this link: https://mhaok.org/mens-mental-health
Movember Conversations:
Learn how better conversations can help you support the men in your life. Whether it’s a friend in need, a colleague who’s not coping or a family member who isn’t himself, learn what to say and how to help. For more information about Movember Conversations, visit https://conversations.movember.com/?utm_medium=movember&utm_source=internal&utm_campaign=movember-conversations-link&_ga=2.43713191.362318505.1621433703-1008039315.1621433703
Movember Family Man:
Family Man provides simple, yet effective, tools for mastering the art of parenting. Movember created Family Man to get more men actively involved in parenting programs. By equipping men with the right tools, especially in tough times, they’re aiming to help men live healthier and happier lives. Raising a family is a team sport, so partners and caregivers are encouraged to join in and explore the challenges together. Family Man is 100% Movember-funded and provided to you at no financial cost. For more information about Movember Family Man, visit https://familyman.movember.com/dashboard/episodes
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Oklahoma Helpline:
Call 1-800-583-1264 Monday to Friday, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. for free mental health information and support.
Rehab Spot:
https://www.rehabspot.com/ or call 866-387-0251
StrongHearts Native Helpline:
StrongHearts Native Helpline 1-844-7NATIVE (762-8483) is a safe, anonymous, and confidential domestic violence and dating violence helpline for Native Americans and Alaska Natives, offering culturally appropriate support and advocacy. StrongHearts advocates offer the following services at no cost:
- peer support and advocacy
- information and education about domestic violence and sexual violence
- personalized safety planning
- crisis intervention
- referrals to Native-centered domestic violence and sexual violence service providers
- basic information about health options
- support finding a local health facility or crisis center that is trained to care for survivors of sexual assault and offers services like sexual assault forensic exams
- general information about jurisdiction and legal advocacy referrals
For more information about StrongHearts Native Helpline or to get help visit https://strongheartshelpline.org/get-help
White Bison:
White Bison, Inc., is an American Indian/Alaska Native non-profit charitable organization operating under the provisions of 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code and is based in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Through White Bison, it’s Founder and President Don Coyhis, Mohican Nation, has offered healing resources to Native America since 1988. White Bison offers sobriety, recovery, addictions prevention, and wellness/Wellbriety learning resources to the Native American/Alaska Native community nationwide. Many non-Native people also use White Bison’s healing resource products, attend its learning circles, and volunteer their services. White Bison is a NAADAC approved provider (#64009) and a Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) Member #11364.
Address: 6455 N. Union Blvd, Ste 102, Colorado Springs, CO 80918
Phone: 1-877-871-1495
Website: https://whitebison.org/
Virtual Family Support Groups
are offered by NAMI Oklahoma Affiliates in communities across the state. They are free, confidential, and safe groups for families helping other families who live with mental health challenges. In NAMI Family Support Groups, families join a caring group of individuals helping one another by utilizing their collective lived experiences and learned wisdom. Family members can achieve a renewed sense of hope for their loved one who has mental illness, ranging from ADHD to schizophrenia. To learn more, visit https://www.namioklahoma.org/virtual-support-groups
Physical Health Resources
Definition: Physical health is the well-being of the body and the proper functioning of the organism of individuals. The ability to perform daily tasks and live comfortably in one’s body. (Source: The World Book)
Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC) – OKCIC is a contractor of the Indian Health Service to provide culturally sensitive health and wellness services from talented and devoted providers. From pediatric and prenatal care to family medicine, OKCIC services not only include basic medical care but also dental, optometry, behavioral health services, fitness, nutrition, and other family programs.
The Behavioral Health department addresses the mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical needs of the Native American community. All services are designed to help individuals, families, and couples talk about troubling personal problems in a safe, comforting, and confidential atmosphere.
INTEGRIS Men’s Health University: The INTEGRIS Men’s Health University (Men-U) is a nationally recognized leading best practice in the area of men’s health programs. Men-U was created in 2004 and offers a series of events that take place throughout the year designed to educate men and their families on the importance of men taking charge of their own health. INTEGRIS Men’s Health University hosts several men’s events throughout the year including the African American Men’s Health Summit in June, quarterly men’s health presentations and our annual Movember events, raising awareness of men’s health issues. For more information about INTEGRIS Men’s Health University, visit https://integrisok.com/resources/network/programs/mens-health
Central Oklahoma City Clinic – Planned Parenthood: Central Oklahoma City Clinic offers the following men’s health care services: checkups when you have a reproductive/sexual health problem. Men’s health services are available…
- during all business hours on a walk-in basis
- during all business hours by appointment
Visit them at 619 NW 23rd Street, Oklahoma City, OK 73103, or call them at 405-528-2157. Learn more at https://www.plannedparenthood.org/health-center/oklahoma/oklahoma-city/73103/central-oklahoma-city-clinic-3351-90741/mens-health
Visit their website at http://okcic.com/ and this is the link to their Behavioral Health Department http://okcic.com/services-specialties/behavioral-health/
Men’s Health Network: Men’s Health Network (MHN) is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to reach men, boys, and their families where they live, work, play, and pray with health awareness and disease prevention messages and tools, screening programs, educational materials, advocacy opportunities, and patient navigation. Visit https://www.menshealthnetwork.org/
Other Resources
These other resources include low-cost or free dental and vision care in Oklahoma, guidance on topics such as fatherhood, domestic violence and sexual assault, and various other resources and hotlines concerning men’s mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
AALHAKOFFICHÍ (A PLACE FOR HEALING) – The Chickasaw Nation
- Aalhakoffichi’ “a place for healing,” serves Chickasaw, and other Native American, youth and their families in need of support and recovery services stemming from significant mental health, substance abuse and family relational issues
- For more information about this program, please visit https://www.chickasaw.net/Services/Children-Youth/Aalhakoffichi-(A-Place-For-Healing).aspx
Alcoholics Anonymous
Phone: (405) 524-1100
Website: http://aaoklahoma.org/
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO): The Center for Employment Opportunities came to Oklahoma City in 2013 and continues to be the only program in the area that provides participants with immediate access to transitional employment, daily pay, and comprehensive employment services. Oklahoma’s particularly high incarceration rate creates more of a necessity for CEO’s services as individuals face tremendous challenges when re-entering the labor market. They provide immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services exclusively to individuals who have recently returned home from incarceration. CEO is strategically located right down the street from the Embark Transit Station at 501 N. Walker Avenue, Suite 160, Oklahoma City, OK 73102. For more information call 405-588-8200 or visit https://ceoworks.org/locations/oklahoma-city
CHOKKA CHAFFAꞋ (ONE FAMILY) – The Chickasaw Nation
- The Chickasaw Nation Chokka Chaffaꞌ, or “One Family” Program is a home-based service for Native American families identified as being at-risk.
- Chokka chaffaꞌ staff emphasize family strengths, promote stability, enhance parental functions and protect children of Native American families who live within the Chickasaw Nation boundaries. They focus on prevention and early intervention and work as partners with families to help them meet their needs.
- For more information about this program, please visit https://www.chickasaw.net/Services/Family/Chokka-Chaffa%EA%9E%8C-(One-Family).aspx
Delta Dental’s Resource Guide for Dental Care in Oklahoma: https://sites.deltadentalok.org/site_docs/DDOK_FND_ResourceGuide_LR.pdf
Guiding Adolescent Parents (GAP) – Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma
- The project provides comprehensive and integrated services to improve family health, education, social, and safety outcomes for expecting and parenting teens and their babies by providing medically accurate and comprehensive service including linkages to critical resource, ongoing support for health and education, and positive parenting and relationship skills instruction using an evidenced-based nationally-validated model.
- For more information about this program please visit https://www.choctawnation.com/tribal-services/member-services/choctaw-support-expectant-and-parenting-teens-sept
Hope4Utah (Hope Squad): https://hope4utah.com
Indian Health Care Resource Center of Tulsa: Call (918) 588.1900 or visit https://www.ihcrc.org/behavioralhealth
Low-Income Vision Clinics in Oklahoma Area: https://www.oklahoma.aoa.org/patients-and-public/public-programs/low-income-vision-clinics
Making Connections Backpack: https://preventioninstitute.org/making-connections-backpack
Movember: https://us.movember.com
Native American Fatherhood & Families Association: https://www.nativeamericanfathers.org/about
Native Dads Network
- While primarily focusing on the importance of fatherhood within the context of family constellations, our mission (i.e., overall purpose) is to actively preserve and/or restore physiological, psychological, sociological, and spiritual wellness of Ingenuous/Native communities dwelling in Northern California and nearby areas.
- For the contact information for staff and to learn more about this organization, please visit https://www.nativedadsnetwork.org/contact-us
Native P.R.I.D.E.: https://www.nativepride.org
Oklahoma Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (OCAADVSA):
Phone: (405) 524-0700 Website: https://www.ocadvsa.org/
Prevention Institute: https://www.preventioninstitute.org
Problem Gambling Hotline
Phone: 800-522-4700
Suicide Hotline
Phone: 800-273-TALK (8255)
Website: https://suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
Tobacco Helpline
Phone: 800-QUITNOW (784-8669)
Behavioral Health Departments at Tribal Health Centers
Chickasaw Nation Hina’ Chokma / Men’s Recovery Center
Address: 3115 E Arlington Street, Ada, OK 74820
Phone: (580) 332-6345
Website: https://www.chickasaw.net/goodroad
Hina’ Chokma is a culturally guided, trauma-informed, residential substance abuse program that serves Native American males. This program provides adult males and their families with a healthy community and integrated treatment services that promote spiritual, emotional, physical, and social wellness.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Clinic- Behavioral Health Services
Address: 26 Joe Father Murphy Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801
Phone: (405) 214-5105
Website: https://www.potawatomi.org/blog/service/behavioral-health/
Behavioral health services are available to primary care patients. Services offered include individual, couples, group and family therapy, smoking cessation classes and medication management. Provides drug/alcohol assessment and treatment, psychiatric/psychological assessment and treatment services for tribal members and other Native Americans.
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Clinic – East Clinic
Address: 2307 S. Gordon Cooper Drive, Shawnee, OK 74801
Phone: (405) 273-5236
Website: https://www.potawatomi.org/blog/service/clinics/
Citizen Potawatomi Nation Health Clinic – West Clinic
Address: Address 781 Grand Casino Boulevard, Shawnee, OK 74801
Phone: (405) 964-5770
Website: https://www.potawatomi.org/blog/service/clinics/
Provides a variety of health care services for tribal members and other Native Americans which include immunizations, diabetes, blood pressure, patient advocacy, HIV/AIDS, patient education, dental care, and prenatal.
Inter-Tribal Substance Abuse Prevention & Treatment Center
Address: 21 N Eight Tribes Trail, Miami, OK 74354
Phone: (918) 542-5543
Provides drug and alcohol abuse counseling, court-ordered alcohol and drug assessments, Alcoholic Anonymous (AA), and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) meetings.
Kiowa Teen Suicide Program
Address: Address 100 Kiowa Way, Carnegie, OK 73015
Phone: (580) 654-6363
Website: https://kiowatribe.org/teen-suicide-prevention
KTSP (Kiowa Teen Suicide Prevention Program) offers suicide prevention training, bullying and depression awareness presentations, life skill lessons with school groups, church and tribal organizations, as well as one-on-one life skill sessions with individuals. Fatherhood/Motherhood is Sacred classes (parenting classes) to fathers and mothers in the community are offered, as well as referrals for individuals who need behavioral health services.
Kickapoo Tribal Health Center
Address: 105365 S Hwy 102, McLoud, OK 74851
Phone: (405) 964-2081
Website: https://okkthc.com/services/behavioral-health/
Offers health care services, behavioral health services and dental care.
Otoe-Missouria Tribe – Behavioral Health and Substance Abuse
Address: 8151 Highway 177, Red Rock, OK 74651
Phone: (580) 723-4466 ext. 167
Website: https://www.omtribe.org/what-we-do/health-diabetes/counseling-services/
The Otoe-Missouria Counseling Behavioral Health Services offers a wide range of services including individual therapy, family and couples therapy, group therapy, and Substance Abuse Counseling. Substance Abuse Assessment is available to tribal members and/or Native Americans within our 50-mile radius with a CDIB card and a Court Order. The specific Assessment provided is an A.S.I. (Addiction Severity Index).
Wichita and Affiliated Tribes – RISE Suicide Prevention Program:
Address: 131 W Broadway St, Anadarko, OK 73005
Phone: (405) 638-0197
Website: http://www.wichitatribe.com/programs/rise.aspx
The Wichita and Affiliated Tribes provide youth suicide prevention services to Wichita tribal members, all American Indian youth, and all community-residing youth ages 10-24 years old in Caddo, Blaine, Canadian, Custer, Grady, and Washita counties. Their primary purpose is to strengthen individuals and communities in order to prevent suicide.
Last updated June 2021
Susan Gay, Program Manager
Phone: (405) 652-9202
Fax: (405) 652-9205
Email: sgay@spthb.org
Idalmi Deleon, Program Assistant
Phone: (405) 992-0580
Fax: (405) 652-9205
Email: ideleon@spthb.org
Making Connections for Mental Health & Wellbeing Among Men and Boys in the U.S. Grant
Our Mission – To reduce mental health disparities experienced among American Indian men and boys using evidence- and culturally based interventions that strengthen resilience and cultural connection.
The Need – Men experience worse long-term health than women and die on average six years earlier. There is a growing need to focus on men and boys’ mental health and wellbeing. Often, male socialization is at odds with mental wellbeing and discourages expression of needs or emotions. Mental illness, including depression, is a major public health problem. Depression and other mental illness can be deadly if left untreated. Three quarters of suicides are men. Poor mental health leads to half a million men taking their own life every year. That’s one every minute. In Oklahoma, the rate of suicide for men is 4.1 times the rate for women. American Indian/Alaskan Native men have the second highest suicide rates among racial groups in Oklahoma. (Sources: Movember Foundation, Men’s Health Network, National Alliance on Mental Illness)
The Grant – The Making Connections for Mental Health and Wellbeing Among Men and Boys in the U.S. grant was awarded to SPTHB in 2015 by Movember in collaboration with Prevention Institute. In 2020, Movember announced it extended funding for five of the Making Connections program sites and SPTHB was those sites. This continuation of grant funding will continue until March 2022 and is now under the title, “Making Connections 2.”
The Program – Empowering American Indian Boys and Men to a Healthy Mind, Body, and Spirit is part of the Making Connections for Mental Health and Wellbeing Among Men and Boys in the U.S initiative. The Oklahoma Making Connections initiative is led by Southern Plains Tribal Health Board’s (SPTHB) Oklahoma Area Tribal Epidemiology Center (OKTEC). SPTHB is a non-profit organization based in Oklahoma City that addresses public health needs for the 44 federally recognized tribes in Oklahoma, Kansas, and Texas, the SPTHB region. The initiative focuses on American Indian men and boys in the SPTHB region. Our vision is to empower American Indian men and boys to a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
American Indian Community & Men’s Mental Health & Wellbeing Survey
We are conducting a survey to help us better understand how the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is affecting the physical, emotional, spiritual, and mental health of the Native American population in your community, especially men and boys. Your feedback is valuable to us and will help us come up with strategies to help understand and address the community’s and men’s mental health and well-being needs.