About the RAHD American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Youth Mental Health Project
Why Youth Mental Health?
In 2022, the Community Health Assessment (CHA) was completed for PD16. The Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) was created based on data from the CHA. The community identified 3 priorities they wanted to focus on improving:
1. Access to Healthcare
2. Affordable Housing
3. Mental Health
Upon completion of the CHIP, RAHD received grant funding through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) to improve community engagement. After reviewing the CHIP and its priorities, RAHD decided to use some of these funds to hear directly from youth about their experiences with mental health and obtain feedback on how to improve mental health outcomes. In order to obtain this information, RAHD conducted a photovoice project with youth across 4 schools within PD16.
What is Photovoice?
Photovoice is a research methodology that utilizes photography as a means of collecting qualitative data about a subject. This methodology gives creative freedom to its participants and thus, produces more personalized insight and data.
What Did the Project Look Like?
In the fall of 2023, RAHD met with students across PD 16 to get their take on what mental health looks like to them and how they think can best be supported.
Students were given two weeks to take pictures according to three prompts. Following those two weeks, RAHD conducted focus groups for each prompt, where students had the opportunity to see their peers’ pictures and discussed the prompt more deeply.
The final meetings focused on planning their project exhibitions. Each group chose to do a virtual exhibition of their project. The students chose the title, color scheme, and layout of their exhibition. Every student shared a nuanced and enlightening perspective on mental health which you’ll be able to see as you scroll through this exhibition.
For participating in the project, students received lunch at every meeting and a $50.00 gift card.
