Training community health workers to improve mental health and substance use care for Alaska Natives
Official title: Alaska Behavioral Health Aide Program: Formative research to evaluate a rural training and service delivery model to reduce disparities in AN/AI mental health and substance use disorders
Funded at Northwest Indian College · NIH-10914177 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how well the Alaska Behavioral Health Aide Program helps train local Indigenous health workers to provide mental health and substance use support in rural Alaska, aiming to improve care for communities facing high rates of suicide and substance use.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Northwest Indian College NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Bellingham, United States) |
| Project start | September 24, 2021 |
| Project end | July 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $446,437 |
| NIH project number | 5S06GM142130-04 |
| Project ID | NIH-10914177 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are Alaska Native individuals, particularly youth and adults facing mental health challenges or substance use disorders.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not identify as Alaska Native or who are not residing in rural Alaskan communities may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on evaluating the Alaska Behavioral Health Aide (BHA) Program, which trains Indigenous community health workers to provide culturally relevant mental health and substance use disorder services in rural Alaska. The program aims to address the high rates of suicide and substance use among Alaska Native populations by equipping local counselors with the necessary skills and training. By assessing the effectiveness of this model, the research seeks to enhance access to quality behavioral health care in these communities. The study will involve gathering data on the training process and the outcomes of the services provided by BHAs.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve mental health and substance use treatment access for Alaska Native individuals and communities.
How similar studies have gone: Similar programs have shown promise in improving health outcomes in Indigenous populations, indicating that this approach could be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Northwest Indian College
Bellingham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Rasmus, Stacy M. — Northwest Indian College
- Study coordinator: Rasmus, Stacy M.
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.