Mental Health Information Community Partnerships Toolkit

Posted in: All Members, Partners Sharing Information, Webinars and Training

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The Mental Health Information Community Partnerships Toolkit is a robust resource designed to help community organizations, healthcare providers, educators, and public libraries address mental health information needs within their communities. Developed under the guidance of Bobbi Newman and the NNLM Region 6 State of Iowa Advisory Group, this toolkit provides practical resources, templates, and strategies to foster partnerships, develop impactful mental health programs, and promote community-wide mental health awareness.

Why Focus on Community Mental Health Information?

Mental health challenges are affecting people across all demographics, including veterans, teens, LGBTQIA+ individuals, seniors, and rural communities. Recent CDC reports emphasize the increasing rates of depression, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, underscoring the urgent need for accessible mental health resources. However, many organizations face barriers to effectively meeting these needs. The Community Partnerships for Mental Health Information Toolkit offers a structured approach to forming partnerships, sharing resources, and creating mental health initiatives that are inclusive, sustainable, and tailored to the specific needs of each community.

What’s Inside the Toolkit?

The Community Partnerships for Mental Health Information Toolkit provides a variety of resources, including:

• Toolkit for Establishing and Maintaining Community Partnerships for Mental Health Information Outreach: This guide assists organizations in identifying and maintaining effective partnerships to address local mental health needs.
• Guide for Locating and Sharing Local Mental Health Resources: Tools and strategies for compiling and sharing essential local mental health information.
• Quick Start Guide: Locating and Collaborating with Community Partners for Mental Health: A framework for identifying and working with community partners to support mental health initiatives, enhancing outreach and resource availability.
• Programming Templates and Guides: Ready-to-use templates for developing community-based mental health programs.
  • Rural Mental Health Information
  • Talking with Mental Health Care Providers
  • Caregiver Support: Mental Health Information for Caregivers
• Iowa Mental Health Resources Bookmarks: Downloadable and printable bookmarks to raise awareness and engage communities.

Who Can Benefit from This Toolkit?

While the Iowa Mental Health Resources Bookmarks are customized explicitly for Iowa, the rest of the toolkit is designed for broad use. Organizations in any state can implement it. These adaptable resources provide a flexible framework to help any community improve mental health awareness, reduce stigma, and build lasting support networks.