The Aspen Institute

Indigenous youth are disproportionately affected by poor mental health, with high rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide due to the ongoing effects of historical trauma, cultural loss, and limited access to culturally-sensitive mental health services. These challenges are further compounded by poverty and limited resources in many Indigenous communities. 

On April 6, the Aspen Institute’s Health Innovators Fellowship is brought together leaders a part of and working in Indigenous communities to discuss their work and share learnings.

SPEAKERS

Bryant Waupoose serves as Director North America for the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, of which he is an enrolled member. Bryant has dedicated his life to inspiring indigenous youth, both in his community and other indigenous communities across Turtle Island, to live healthy lifestyles through fly fishing and the outdoors. His recent project at Menikanaehkem has been an innovative approach using fly fishing and indigenous concepts to connect youth to creation and promote wellness.

Dr. Patricia Nez Henderson is Vice President for the Black Hills Center for American Indian Health, an American Indian nonprofit organization established in 1998 to address the myriad health needs of Northern Plains tribes. The first female American Indian graduate of the Yale School of Medicine, her research findings have been presented at several national conferences including the National Institute on Aging, the Resource Center for Minority Aging Research, the Indian Health Services Research Conference, the Association of American Indian Physicians Annual Conference, and the American Public Health Association Annual Conference.

Julisa Lopes is a Social Psychology PhD candidate at the University of Michigan. Her research examines how representations of Native Peoples in society negatively impact the psychological well-being of Natives and perpetuate bias among non-Natives. Julisa orients herself as a research scientist, data warrior and social justice scholar. As she pursues her PhD, she remains highly involved as an organizer in her community and is committed to putting her research into action.

Ajahrain Yellowhair is a young Navajo leader dedicated to advocating for awareness surrounding the four components of health; mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual. They are a First generation college student studying political science and Education at the University of Portland. Ajahrain has led a turbulent life dictated by the circumstances they were exposed to and from those life experiences has gained unique insights to trauma and recovery.

WHO CAN ATTEND

All dialogues in the Adolescent Mental Health Crisis Series are open to anyone.

SESSIONS IN THE ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS DIALOGUE SERIES ARE TAKING PLACE MARCH THROUGH JULY ON THURSDAY AFTERNOONS – SERIES SCHEDULE:

Session 1: A Primer on the Adolescent Mental Health Crisis | April 6, 3:00-4:00PM ET

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Session 3: Community Spotlight: Black Youth | May 11, 3:00-4:00PM ET

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Session 4: Community Spotlight: LGBT+ Youth | June 1, 3:00-4:00PM ET

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Session 5: Community Spotlight: Latinx Youth | July 13, 3:00-4:00PM ET

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ABOUT THE ASPEN HEALTH INNOVATORS FELLOWSHIP

The Health Innovators Fellowship’s mission is to develop a community of energized, values-driven leaders committed to finding viable solutions to confront U.S. health care’s problems.

The Fellowship offers high-performing professionals a unique experience—the ability to connect with and learn from a diverse group of peers with whom they wouldn’t ordinarily interact while refining their own values and charting a course that empowers them to take action in new ways to improve health and health care in America. Fellows come from a wide variety of industries and sectors, ranging from medicine to venture capital to public health and beyond. Learn More