June is Men’s Health Month and Kickapoo Tribal Health Center and Southern Plains Tribal Health Board are teaming up to honor men, especially American Indian men, our warriors! Even though we may be divided during COVID19, we are dedicated to heightening awareness of preventable health problems and encouraging early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys.
SPTHB’s Making Connections for Mental Health and Wellbeing Among Men and Boys in the U.S. initiative, which works to empower American Indian men and boys to be healthy in body, mind, and spirit and KTHC’s Health Promotion and Diabetes Prevention, have several activities during Men’s Health Month.
What You can Expect During Our June Let’s Hear It for the Warriors Campaign:
KTHC will be sharing SPTHB webinar on Facebook each Wednesday in June with a topic related to men’s health; a weekly theme and photos linked to the overall theme and webinar, along with a different hue of blue, the color used to promote men’s health; and social media posts with links to blogs, video clips, and an interview. Most of this information will also be on SPTHB’s website. On Friday, June 19th, KTHC will have a curb-side “Warrior” goodie bag pick-up! Stay tuned to Facebook and website for details to come!
What You Can Do to Help Promote our Let’s Hear It for the Warriors Campaign:
- Register for SPTHB weekly webinars below or using the Zoom links you will receive via emails, social media and encourage others to register or visit www.spthb.com or Facebook.
- June 19th KTHC Curb-Side Warrior Goodie Bag Day and Wear Blue, more details to come.
- Share the videos, and social media posts you will be receiving from us in June.
- Watch SPTHB videos, read the weekly blogs, and listen to the featured interview.
- Like our posts on the various social media platforms and engage with us.
- Show your warrior and other warriors how important they are to you, and encourage and promote their mental, physical, and spiritual health and wellbeing.
Webinar #1: “Reconstruction of Positive Indian Male Identity”
Date: Wednesday, June 3, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Central Time
Presenter: Dr. Steven Byers
Description: How should Indigenous Male identity be viewed in the U. S.? Given the study of identity typically comes under personality study in western psychology, empirical work on the identity of men has typically involved white American male studies. In Gender studies, the emphasis is also on the white male identity. This presentation presents a model of American Indian male identity in terms of challenges and risks to adaptation and health. Dr. Steven Byers identifies the parameters that have eroded healthy male gender identity, roles, and behaviors within Indian country.
Webinar #2: “Listening to the Voices of Young Indigenous Males About Their Health and Wellbeing: Lessons from the Northern Territory, Australia”
Date: Wednesday, June 10, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Central Time
Presenter: Professor James Smith
Description: This presentation will draw on findings from a research project that explored the ways young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander males talk about their health and wellbeing. It involved group yarning sessions and an analysis of Facebook data. Challenges in navigating western and cultural worldviews; discussion about social determinants of health; and the importance of friends and family, were key features of this discussion. Adopting a strengths-based perspective, Professor Smith will share key learnings from this research, and explain how these can inform improved health promotion approaches targeting boys and young men of color, particularly young Indigenous males.
Webinar #3: Fostering Relational Strengths: The Role of Women in Supporting Men’s Health
Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Central Time
Presenter: Dr. Judy Chu
Description: This webinar offers a way of looking at and thinking about boys that reflects a feminist, relational framework for understanding people’s lives and experiences. Dr. Chu will begin by highlighting boys’ relational strengths and describing how boys’ gender socialization can lead them to cover up these aspects of their humanity. She will then consider how boys’ alignment with culturally prescribed norms of masculine behavior can impact their relationships and wellbeing. Finally, Dr. Chu will suggest how women (and others) can support boys’ healthy development by fostering boys’ connections to themselves and to others.
Webinar #4: COVID-19 and Men’s Health
Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2020
Time: 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Central Time
Presenters: Salvatore J. Giorgianni, Jr., Pharm.D. BSc. Sr. Science Advisor, Men’s Health Network and Mark Hedstrom, Executive Director, US, Movember
Description: Based on emerging reports and data, COVID-19 seems to be posing a greater threat to men’s health. This webinar will be in the form of a panel discussion where we will explore the impact of COVID-19 on men’s health. Panelists will present on why men are at a higher risk and provide guidance on what men should be doing to protect themselves from this disease. Presentations will be followed by participant Q&A.
We give a big thank you to KTHC’s HPDP Diabetes Department and Southern Plains Tribal Health Board
