Building Healthy Communities

Barrow, AK, 2002

Isolation. Stigma. Helplessness. For many Native Alaskans living on the Arctic North Slope, these words are more than just words. They are a painful reality. Incremental loss of culture, language and lifestyle choices brought on by the migration of non-natives to this area has been a difficult challenge. Combined with the incredible isolation and harsh living conditions of the Arctic, these losses exact a heavy toll on the mental health of Alaska's Arctic North Slope residents.

In order to empower and educate their community about mental health issues, KBRW and the Barrow Chapter of the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) launched Building Healthy Communities. As part of this project, KBRW produced a 12-month series of public service announcements and monthly talk shows about the symptoms, diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Programming included pieces about the stigma of mental health myths and misconceptions and educating children about mental illness. The station also broadcast a call-in talk show to answer questions about mental health.

The Barrow Chapter of NAMI, a grassroots organization that provides education, support and advocacy for victims of mental illness and their families, is facilitating four community workshops in which the audience will be able to participate in healing processes with members of their community. These four workshops—“In the Spirit of the Family,” “Grieving Workshop,” “Youth Forum” and “Community Empowerment and Development”—emphasize Native and community values.
NAMI Barrow is uniquely qualified to respond to the needs of the Arctic Slope. All members of NAMI Barrow are Native Alaskan and have either a family member suffering from mental illness or are themselves mental health consumers. Their experiences help provide effective, compassionate advocacy for the mentally ill and their families.

Contact Information

KBRW-AM
Amber Jusefowytsch, Development Director
Tel: 907-852-6811

NAMI Barrow
Helen Simmonds, President
Tel: 907-852-0276

Awards:

Alaska Public Radio Network (KBRW) Round One
Best Commentary — Alaska Press Club
Best Daily News Program, including five children's feature stories
— Alaska Press Club