Mental Health Literacy
Grantee: Syracuse University
Project Goal:
Despite pockets of adept professionals that work with individuals with co-occurring developmental disabilities and mental health challenges, there is an ongoing need for capacity building to assist with delivering appropriate supports to people with dual diagnoses. A significant proportion of family members and caregivers, as well as clinicians, are ill-equipped to identify mental health symptoms and respond and assist during a mental health crisis for those with a developmental disability. This project will help build capacity and improve health outcomes for people dually diagnosed with IDD and a mental health condition.
Project Summary:
Syracuse University will develop a multimodal resource (available both in print and online) to strengthen the response of professionals in the field, as well as family members, in responding to the mental health needs of people with developmental disabilities. This resource will be comprised of a guide and complimentary video animated/live action series discussing mental health and disabilities.
Content will include, but is not limited to, understanding mental health literacy, mental health within respective disability populations, mental health symptoms, substance abuse, effective self-help strategies for mild-to-moderate mental health challenges, navigating crises, resources, etc. This guide will be translated in various languages and readily accessible for people to build their own capacity through a self-paced series. Any grant products and resources should also include links and avenues for referrals to local assistance and mental health providers.
The content should be targeted toward those with various disabilities and their family members, professionals, policymakers, and community leaders to increase their understanding about mental health, and to provide information about the mental health systems across NYS.
Key Activities:
- An advisory committee comprised of experts to guide the development, content, implementation, and evaluation of the dual diagnosis mental health literacy curriculum.
- A fully accessible online guide (available in multiple languages) with a complimentary animated/live action video series which reaches multiple stakeholders including those with various disabilities and their family members, professionals, policymakers, and community leaders.
- There should be content focusing on, but not limited to providing general information on dual diagnosis, explanations of various mental health conditions and how they may present in the disability population, mental health and substance abuse within the disability population, mental health triggers, strategies to promote mental health wellness for mild-to-moderate mental health challenges, navigating crises, resources, and tips for accessing formal mental health systems in NYS.
- There should be an accompanying training for users on how to most effectively utilize the resource, available in multiple languages including plain language.
- A complementary accessible print guide that is available in multiple languages and can be shared as a physical resource, including plain language.
- An evaluation of the resource and its impacts on the DD field and cross-systems stakeholders.
- A sustainability plan for how the web-based resource, and print guide, will be maintained and updated beyond the term of the grant.
Total Funding: $400,000
Project Details
Project Length: 2 Years
Contract Start: October 1, 2025
Geographic Reach: Statewide
Current Status: Active