Work

Lessons Learned From an Interdisciplinary Paraprofessional Training Program for Preventing Adolescent Substance Use and Suicide in Underserved Areas

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Mental health issues among youth in the United States have reached distressing levels, especially in marginalized populations. Many approaches to help solve this problem are geared toward intervention. However, to reduce the number of young people who experience mental health issues such as depression and nonprescribed substance use, it is important to focus first on prevention. Solutions that account for the barriers and struggles of youth from at-risk communities can emerge from interdisciplinary collaboration. This paper describes an innovative interdisciplinary educational program that trains and prepares undergraduate college students to apply prevention strategies to reduce suicide and nonprescribed substance use among youth in rural and/or underserved communities. Challenges met during the implementation of the program and recommendations for best practices are presented.

Source: Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship

DOI: 10.54656/242r2a13

Authors: Irene Searles McClatchey, Monica Nandan, Kandice Porter, Seneca Vaught, Jeffrey Lueders

Language: English

Topic: Suicide and Self-Harm Studies

Subfield: Clinical Psychology

Field: Psychology

Domain: Social Sciences

SDGs: Good health and well-being, Quality education

Open Access status: diamond

Funder: Health Resources and Services Administration

Award: G2105412337