Resources for Youth
Caring Messages: Sometimes all it takes is a thoughtful text to brighten your day and shift your perspective. To receive two texts per week with messages designed to improve your mood and remind you how awesome you are, simply text:
- “CARING’’ to 65664 (youth 13-24), or
- “COLLEGE” to 65664 (for college students)
- Share the campaigns on social media:
- For College Students: Jared, Jorney, Lael, Tommy
- For Youth: Lael’s GIF, Tommy’s GIF
- Share our postcards and flyers:
- For College Students: Jared College Flyer, Jorney College Flyer, Lael College Flyer, Tommy College Flyer
- For Youth: Lael Postcard 1, Tommy Postcard 2, Lael Flyer 1, Tommy Flyer 2
The Caring Messages were developed and administered by THRIVE, the suicide prevention project at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.
In crisis? It’s okay to reach out for help. Text the word “NATIVE” to 741-741 and you’ll be connected with a trained crisis counselor. From stress or anxiety to trauma or grief – they’re trained to listen. The service is free, confidential, and available 24/7.
- Share the campaign on social media: Post 1, Post 2, Post 3
- Share our poster and rack card.
- Handout: Youth Support Resources
- Handout: Emotional Safety Plan
Websites for Youth
- We R Native
- iknowmine
- Paths Remembered
- We R Healers
- Center for Native American Youth
- Native Youth Sexual Health Network
- American Indian College Fund
- American Indian Science & Engineering Society
Resources for Two Spirit and LGBTQ Youth
- Celebrating Our Magic Toolkit is a culturally-specific resource for AI/AN communities and aims to provide resources for transgender and Two-Spirit youth, their relatives, and their healthcare providers. Check out the Youth Section of the guide.
- The NPAIHB has a Two Spirit and LGBTQ Health page that contains resources for youth, clinic providers, and allies.
- Text LGBTQ2S to 94449 to receive resources via text message.
- Sassy Sassafrass: A Two Spirit ebook in English or in Spanish
- Sassy Sassafrass: A Two Spirit Coloring Book
- Zine: “Stewarding Relationships: An Exploration Rooted in Gender Fluid Ancestral Knowledge Systems
- Order Indigenizing Love by the Western States Center.
- Video 1 | Identity – Dr. Itai Jeffries (Occaneechi) of the Paths Remembered Two Spirit Project, digs into sexual and gender identity.
- Video 2 | Internal & External Identity – Dr. Itai Jeffries (Occaneechi) of the Paths Remembered Two Spirit Project, talks about the important role that our internal and external identities play into how we are perceived and what happens when those identities do not match.
- Video 3 | Terms for Sexual and Gender Identity – Dr. Itai Jeffries (Occaneechi) of the Paths Remembered Two Spirit Project, explains the terminology used for sexual and gender identity.
- Video 4 | Ways to Support People’s Identities – Dr. Itai Jeffries (Occaneechi) of the Paths Remembered Two Spirit Project, shares ways you can support people’s identities, including their sexual and gender identity.
- Gender-Pronouns 101
- 2SLGBTQ Resource Sheet
- 2SLGBTQ Community Readiness Survey A tool to successfully integrate the voice, expertise, and resources from all community members to improve the health and well-being of our 2SLGBTQ youth.
Websites for Educators
- IllumiNative has partnering with the National Indian Education Association and Amplifier to create and disseminate engaging digital education tools, lesson plans, and resources about Native American art, culture, history and contemporary life for students and families learning at-home. Their lessons are free and downloadable.
- National Teacher Preparation Standards for Sexuality Education (PDF)
- Future of Sex Education (FoSE) National Sexuality Education Standards
- Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States
- Adolescent Health Spark Trainings are free, ready-to-use, and include a PowerPoint presentation, a facilitator script, and follow-up materials. They are designed for providers or staff to deliver in 15-30 minutes at staff meetings or professional development opportunities. Sparks can be facilitated by providers or staff in any role, and are specifically designed to “spark” discussion and reflection among a multidisciplinary audience. Topics include: Strengths Based Approaches to Adolescent Sexual Health, Being an Askable Adult, and Identifying and Supporting Trafficked Youth (among others).
- The American Indian College Fund has two student resources to goal set: Pathways and Career Pathways Guidebooks, which you can find at www.collegefund.org/nativepathways and www.collegefund.org/careerpathways. Students, counselors, parents and other stakeholders can sign-up for the Fund’s monthly scholarship and CONNECT newsletters at www.collegefund.org/stay-connected.
Journal Publications on AI/AN Adolescent Health
The Healthy Native Youth collective has numerous publications demonstrating evidence of effectiveness for curricula, interventions and social marketing campaigns. These publications may be useful as background, scientific review or as citations as you develop youth programs.
- Barriers, frameworks, and mitigating strategies influencing the dissemination and implementation of health promotion interventions in indigenous communities: a scoping review. Implementation Sci 17, 18 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13012-022-01190-y
- Assessment of the Reach, Usability, and Perceived Impact of “Talking Is Power”: A Parental Sexual Health Text-Messaging Service and Web-Based Resource to Empower Sensitive Conversations with American Indian and Alaska Native Teens. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 9126. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18179126
- Use of Media Technologies by Native American Teens and Young Adults in the Pacific Northwest: Exploring Their Utility for Designing Culturally Appropriate Technology-Based Health Interventions: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10935-011-0242-z
- Tribal recommendations for designing culturally appropriate technology-based sexual health interventions targeting Native youth in the Pacific Northwest. American Indian and Alaska Native Mental Health Research, 19(1), 76-101. doi: 10.5820/aian.1901.2012.76
- People Care: Recommendations from Native Youth to Address Concerning Mental Health Displays on Social Media. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jadohealth.2015.10.128
- Comprehensive Approaches to Using Technology to Address Mental Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-69638-6_19
- Texting 4 Sexual Health: Improving Attitudes, Intention, and Behavior Among American Indian and Alaska Native Youth. doi: 10.1177/1524839918761872
- We R Native: Harnessing Technology to Improve Health Outcomes for American Indian and Alaska Native Youth, DOI: 1016/j.jadohealth.2017.11.168
- Healthy Native Youth: Improving Access to Effective, Culturally-Relevant Sexual Health Curricula. Frontiers in Public Health doi: 3389/fpubh.2018.00225
- Assessing the Usability, Appeal, and Impact of a Web-Based Training for Adults Responding to Concerning Posts on Social Media: Pilot Suicide Prevention Study. JMIR Ment Health 2020;7(1):e14949; DOI: 10.2196/14949
- Recruiting and Engaging American Indian and Alaska Native Teens and Young Adults in a SMS Help-Seeking Intervention: Lessons Learned from the BRAVE Study. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17249437
- Surfing and Texting for Health: Media Use and Health Promotion Targeting NW Native Youth http://archive.northwestpublichealth.org/archives/s2011/surfing-and-texting-for-health-project-red-talon-targets-native-youth

Resources for Adults: Text Messaging Series
Join Talking is Power: a Text Messaging Service for parents and caring adults, that shares “How to Talk to Youth About Sexual Health.”
- Text “EMPOWER” to 94449 to get started!
- Access all of the campaign’s tips and tools HERE.
- Share the campaign on social media:
- Handout
- Printable Postcards: Michelle, Greg
- Social Media: Michelle, Uncle Paige, Elder, Parent
- Promo Videos: Michelle 1, Michelle 2, Michelle 3, Greg 1, Greg 2, Greg 3
Join Veterans Caring Messages: a Text Messaging Service for Native Vets. Veterans who sign up will receive 1-2 messages a week. The messages were designed by fellow Veterans and include messages of hope and caring with a mix of resources, videos, and songs.
- Text “VETERANS” to 65664 to get started!
- Share the campaign on social media:
Caring Messages is an evidence-based suicide-prevention intervention. The Veterans Caring Messages were developed and administered by THRIVE, the suicide prevention project at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.
Virtual Adaptation Guide
Find support adapting your in-person programming to virtual delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond. Check out our adaptation guide and workbook to get tools and resources to help support your transition from in-person to virtual programming.
- Virtual Adaptation Guide (PDF)
- Virtual Adaptation Guide Workbook (editable Word doc)
- Youth Slides Template (PowerPoint)
Tips and Tools for Educators
- Native Youth and Technology: In 2020 We R Native surveyed Native teens and young adults on their technology use and health information priorities and preferences. Here’s what they told us! We also contracted with MarketCast to learn more about Native youth’s conversations on social platforms related to health and wellness. This is what we learned from their Phase #1 Report. And their Phase #2 Report.
- NPAIHB’s 2020 Adolescent Health Tribal Action Plan
- ANTHC’s 2020 Adolescent Health Tribal Action Plan
- NPAIHB’s 2021 Tribal Resolution with Two Spirit and LGBTQ Strategic Vision
- Executive Summary: Best Practices for Creating Compelling COVID-19 Related Messaging for AI/AN Youth on TikTok
- Best Practices for Creating Compelling COVID-19 Related Messaging for AI/AN Youth on TikTok
- Tips for Making your Clinic Teen-Friendly
- CDC Tips for Teen-Friendly Reproductive Health Visits
- Tips for Answering Sensitive Health Questions
- Community Building Action Plan Toolkit
- Self-Care Plan for Elders & Adults
- Sexual Health Observances 2023
- Concerning Messages Response Plan – Generic Template
- Project Red Talon National Network Resources to End HIV/AIDs/STIs in Indian Country & Alaska
Videos and Webinars
- Watch a 5-Minute Ignite Session: Stephanie Craig Rushing, Project Director at Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, presented at the 2019 Nonprofit Technology Conference in Portland, OR, hosted by nten.org.
- For recorded sessions on Healthy Native Youth curricula and tips to support implementation, visit our Recorded Sessions and Handouts page.
Social Marketing Campaigns
To develop health promotion messages that resonate with AI/AN youth, the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board uses social marketing, an evidence-based planning process that improves the impact of health promotion messages. The model uses formative research to identify priority populations, segment the community into distinct audiences, pretest materials with the audience, and then monitors the campaign to assess its effectiveness.
We’ve used this community-driven process to design social marketing campaigns addressing health topics important to AI/AN communities, including:
- New! StopSyphilis.org Boost syphilis prevention efforts with free resources! For more information, visit IndianCountry ECHO.
- Native. Tested. Proud: Encourages routine HIV testing for everyone 13-64 years old.
- Native. LGBT. Proud: Is designed to reduce stigma and promote HIV testing among AI/AN Two Spirit and LGBTQ community members.
- I Strengthen My Nation: Empowers Native youth to resist drugs and alcohol.
- We Are Connected. We Need You Here: Provides hope to those thinking about suicide and shows there are people around them who can help. Rack Card, Poster
- Community is the Healer that Breaks the Silence: Encourages families to identify suicide warning signs.
- Stand Up, Stand Strong: Empowers communities to stand up against bullying.
- My Body, Mind, and Spirit are Sacred: Is designed to address and prevent sexual assault.
- What is Done to One is Felt by All: Is designed to prevention family maltreatment, including child abuse, elder abuse, and intimate partner violence.
- Washington Youth Sexual Health Project has downloadable culturally relevant sexual health messaging for social media channels.
- Loved Here, Safe Here: The Safe Spaces and Get Yourself Tested (GYT) campaign has materials for tribal clinics and those who engage with Native youth to support and provide an affirming environment for the 2SLGBTQ community. Flyer
The Center for Native American Youth, the Native Wellness Institute, We R Native, and the Tribal Health Reaching Out Involves Everyone (THRIVE) project launched the Native Youth Are Medicine Campaign to spark conversations around mental health, self-love, and to create youth-centered spaces to share practices that promote healing, wellness, and tools to live in balance. Download Resources.
The Suicide Prevention Resource Center developed a video series on strategic communication planning for suicide prevention. This series includes five-minute webinar clips that feature expert advice on developing a communication plan, understanding your audience, and evaluating your efforts. Speakers include Stephanie Craig Rushing, Project Director at the Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board, on how We R Native engages tribal youth to develop suicide prevention messaging. Visit: http://www.sprc.org/resources-programs/strategic-communication-planning.

