ANTHC HIV/STD Prevention 
Program Newsletter
May 2019
Hello! Camai! Wáa sá iyatée! 
"Live in Peace and Harmony." -Southeast Traditional Tribal Value 
Mental Health Awareness Month
"Provide time to see how your life is going." -Cup'ik Cultural Value

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) Wellness and Prevention and Behavioral Health Departments hosted activities to celebrate #MentalHealthMonth on the Alaska Native Health Campus. Activities included opening and closing ceremonies--both with singing, dancing, drumming, and a potluck. Each week of the month featured a different theme from  work/life balance, recreation/social connections, spirituality, and humor. Activities throughout the month included massages, tea time, sharing stories, and an animal companionship informational fair. ANTHC staff members also provided positive messages encouraging self care, like journaling, taking lunch breaks, and getting exercise. All of these suggestions encourage holistic health. Thank you to the ANTHC Wellness and Prevention and Behavioral Health Departments for providing information and activities in honor of #MentalHealthMonth. 
ANTHC and APU Host First Alaska Indigenous Research Program

From May 6 through 24, ANTHC and Alaska Pacific University (APU) partnered to host the first Alaska Indigenous Research Program: Promoting Resilience, Health and Wellness in Anchorage, Alaska. The program consisted of three weeks of courses covering topics such as Indigenous and Western research methodologies, community-based participatory research, culturally responsive community engagement and communication, health research ethics, and health research and historical trauma. Participants represented Indigenous Peoples from Alaska, the Lower 48, Canada, and Europe.

The goal of the research program is to increase the health research capacity of Alaska Native/American Indian individuals and communities by providing cross-cultural research education such as traditional song and dance as well as the traditional I ñ upiaq blanket toss. Thank you ANTHC and APU for the astounding effort! If you are interested in attending next year visit the website. 
Update: Sexually Transmitted Diseases/Infections (STD/STI) in the U.S. 

What do Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis have in common? For one thing, they are all bacterial STDs/STIs. Two, they all have seen an increase in cases over the last few years. Between 2013 - 2017, there was  an 80% increase in cases of syphilis, 67% increase in gonorrhea, and 22% increase in chlamydia nation-wide. Half of all new STI diagnoses occur in people 15-24 years old, even though only a quarter of all sexually active people are that age. Read more from Quick Take. What can we do to help stop the rise in STD rates? We can encourage STD and HIV testing, offer education and provide free safe sex supplies when possible. Order your free educational materials and condoms (up to 20 at a time) from IKM. 

If you would like to make an even larger impact, have your voice heard by providing input to the federal government in the development of the STI Federal Action Plan! Respond to the Request for Information published in the Federal Register by June 3. 
Garden of Roses Camp for Girls, August 2 - 4, Fairbanks

The Garden of Roses Camp for Girls is a free opportunity for Alaska Native girls ages 8 - 17 who are survivors of sexual abuse, and their guardians, to heal through Native traditions.

Campers and their parent/guardian will enjoy a safe weekend of outdoor activities, healing circles and Native traditions with other Alaska Native families. The camp will be held August 2- 4 in Fairbanks. Travel scholarships are available. The deadline to apply is June 14. For more information, contact dvprevention@anthc.org, or 907-729-3795. 




    • Order free condoms and at-home STD testing kits
    • Order free educational materials
    • Find answers to questions like: Can I catch an STD if I haven't had sex yet? My friend seems depressed--how can I help?

And find culturally and age appropriate sexual health curricula at www.healthynativeyouth.org.
For more information, contact Jaclynne Richards, ANTHC HIV/STD Prevention Program: (907) 729-2971, or  jkrichards@anthc.org.