We Are Here: Stories Exploring Inequitable Access to Behavioral Health Services among NH’s Marginalized Communities
As we reviewed footage of participant interviews for the first four videos, we noticed patterns in the different types of challenges and contexts they described. We grouped the videos into four themes: cultural competency, healthcare, language & communication, and education.
Click the little button with two opposite-facing arrows to watch the videos in full-screen mode.
Cultural Competency
Healthcare
Language and Communication
Education
Discussion Guide and Supplemental Materials
View or Download the We Are Here Discussion Guide
This document is organized around the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services (CLAS) in Health and Health Care (U.S. Dept. of Health & Human Services, Office of Minority Health). The CLAS Standards are intended to advance health equity, improve quality, and help eliminate health care disparities by providing a blueprint for individuals and health care organizations to implement culturally and linguistically appropriate services.
This document, provided by our partners at the Office Health Equity, NH DHHS, restates the CLAS Standards in plain language and offers suggestions of specific actions that can be taken at the individual, organizational, and community levels to advance the standards.
View or Download Culturally Responsive Care in New Hampshire
A resource designed to enhance the capacity of New Hampshire's behavioral health workforce to be more responsive to the needs of all populations
Substance Use Treatment and Recovery
Of the two videos that focus on substance use treatment and supports, the first explores the impacts of substance use and systemic barriers to service access, and the second focuses on how powerful peer support can be for a person in recovery.
The Impacts of Substance Use, Bias, and Barriers to Service Access
The Power of Peer Recovery Support
Discussion Guide: Substance Use Treatment and Recovery
View or Download the We Are Here Substance Use Treatment & Recovery Discussion Guide
Families Experiencing Homelessness
This video features real stories exploring the impact of homelessness on early childhood development and barriers families face when accessing services.
Families Experiencing Homelessness: Stories of Resilience
The production of this video was made possible by support from a CDC Children's Mental Health Champions Award for which JoAnne Malloy of the IOD was selected. The CDC Children's Mental Health Champions project is a collaboration between the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), with the goal of addressing the mental health needs of children and families.
Discussion Guide: Families Experiencing Homelessness
Interested in Sharing We Are Here with Others?
Thank you for considering the following when planning to share the We Are Here videos with a group.
Sensitive Content
These videos contain sensitive content that could be upsetting for some viewers. Each video has a content warning that appears on the screen in the beginning, but we recommend verbally preparing audiences as well. We do not recommend sharing the videos with viewers who are younger than high-school age.
Language Access
The videos are all open-captioned. If you are planning a presentation to a group, be sure to ask about other language access needs of attendees and provide appropriate accommodations.
Time and Context
Each video is approximately 15 minutes long. Group viewings should include ample time for reflection and discussion. It is advisable to break up viewings into 1-2 videos in a sitting, as it can be a lot of heavy content for folks to process. Consider how context (e.g., time, place, size/ makeup of group, etc.) can affect your audience’s state of mind. Are they fresh, alert, and ready to engage with sensitive content? Is this a safe space for them to have a challenging discussion about their own beliefs and practices?
Language and Stigma
It’s important to be mindful of the way we use language when we talk about behavioral health, in order to avoid reinforcing stigma. We recommend reviewing resources about using inclusive, non-stigmatizing language before engaging in group discussions about the videos. This webpage by NAMI Sonoma County is a good place to start.
For inquiries, please email us at IOD.CBH@unh.edu or call (603) 862-4320.
