Evaluating the strengths and challenges of PAX dream makers approach to mental health promotion: perspectives of youth and community members in indigenous communities in Manitoba, Canada.

Publisher: Taylor & Francis Country of Publication: United States NLM ID: 9713056 Publication Model: Print Cited Medium: Internet ISSN: 2242-3982 (Electronic) Linking ISSN: 12399736 NLM ISO Abbreviation: Int J Circumpolar Health Subsets: MEDLINE

Publication: 2016- : Philadelphia, PA : Taylor & Francis
Original Publication: Oulu, Finland : International Union for Circumpolar Health and the Nordic Society of Arctic Medicine, [1997-

Health Promotion*/methods ; Schools* ; Suicide*/ethnology ; Suicide Prevention*; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Canada ; Child ; Humans ; Indians, North American ; Manitoba ; Mental Health ; Program Evaluation ; School Health Services ; Students/psychology

PAX Good Behaviour Game (PAX-GBG) is an evidence-based approach to co-create a nurturing environment where all children can thrive. This school-based approach was identified as a promising intervention for suicide prevention by First Nations communities in Manitoba, Canada. To enhance this mental health promotion approach, PAX Dream Makers was developed. It is a youth-led addition to PAX-GBG for middle and high school students. This study's aim was to examine, from the communities' perspectives, the influence of PAX Dream Makers on youth as well as its strengths, challenges and suggestions for future improvements. A case study method was conducted using interviews and focus groups with 30 youth and 17 adult mentors and elders. Participants reported that PAX Dream Makers provided support and encouragement to the youth, increased their resilience and provided an opportunity to be positive role models. It strengthened PAX-GBG implementation in schools. Challenges included: adult mentors availability, frequent teacher turn-over and community mental distress. Suggestions expressed were: being mindful of cultural and community contexts, increasing community leadership's understanding of PAX-GBG and better recruitment of mentors and youth. PAX Dream Makers approach was well-received by communities and holds great promise for promoting the well-being of First Nations youth.

Can J Psychiatry. 2015 Jun;60(6):245-57. (PMID: 26175322)
Prev Sci. 2015 Nov;16(8):1064-74. (PMID: 25946968)
J Abnorm Child Psychol. 2005 Dec;33(6):665-79. (PMID: 16328743)
Int J Circumpolar Health. 2020 Dec;79(1):1735052. (PMID: 32102633)
Depress Anxiety. 2013 Oct;30(10):1030-45. (PMID: 23650186)
BMJ. 2013 Nov 20;347:f6753. (PMID: 24259324)
Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008 Jun 1;95 Suppl 1:S45-59. (PMID: 18243581)
Prev Sci. 2011 Mar;12(1):70-9. (PMID: 20568012)
J Educ Psychol. 2009 Nov 1;101(4):926-937. (PMID: 23766545)
J Affect Disord. 2009 Apr;114(1-3):32-40. (PMID: 18799219)
Dialogues Clin Neurosci. 2012 Jun;14(2):204-9. (PMID: 22754293)
Behav Modif. 2021 Jul;45(4):641-666. (PMID: 31578077)
Am J Community Psychol. 2012 Dec;50(3-4):462-80. (PMID: 22644083)
Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008 Jun 1;95 Suppl 1:S60-73. (PMID: 18329189)
BMJ Open. 2019 Sep 26;9(9):e030728. (PMID: 31558456)
Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev. 2020 Dec;23(4):462-482. (PMID: 32839866)
J Prim Prev. 2017 Apr;38(1-2):87-104. (PMID: 27848172)
Int J Ment Health Promot. 2016 Jan 1;18(1):33-48. (PMID: 27019639)
Pediatrics. 2019 Aug;144(2):. (PMID: 31358665)
Drug Alcohol Depend. 2008 Jun 1;95 Suppl 1:S29-44. (PMID: 18249508)
Depress Anxiety. 2013 Oct;30(10):1021-9. (PMID: 23761133)
Front Public Health. 2018 Feb 13;6:31. (PMID: 29497608)
Am J Community Psychol. 2004 Jun;33(3-4):119-30. (PMID: 15212173)

P12 – 144646 Canada CIHR

Keywords: Mental health promotion; children; implementation research; suicide; youth

Date Created: 20220621 Date Completed: 20220622 Latest Revision: 20221207

20231215

PMC9225784

10.1080/22423982.2022.2089378

35726188