Specifications include, but are not limited to: The Refugee Mental Health Initiative (ReMHI) program should focus on providing direct services for ORR-eligible populations to promote their health, both routinely, through preventive care, and during time of crisis (eg. pandemics).; Activities may include: • Health education classes and focused mental health outreach to individuals to decrease stigma about seeking help,; • Coordination of mental health care, and; • Targeted wellness group activities for specific interests and populations; Increasing Mental Health Literacy: ReMHI programs providing opportunities to increase health literacy for ORR-eligible populations empower clients to make informed health decisions. Grantees should identify and conduct outreach to mainstream mental health providers versed in trauma and/or partner with local refugees resettlement agencies and/or ethnic community-based organizations to provide such trainings, as well as increase the pool of Mental Health First Aid (MFHA) instructors in the resettlement network by sponsoring certification training fees and refugee serving providers. Grantees should develop a training curriculum for mainstream providers on refugee mental health and other trainings to respond to provider-specific needs. Grantees should provide classes in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. Grantees should conduct outreach and provide educational opportunities for refugees to learn about mental health and emotional wellness to decrease stigma about (and increase access to) services.; Coordinating Mental Health Care: ReMHI programs coordinating mental health care for the ORR-eligible individuals should develop direct linkages between mental health service providers and refugee-serving organizations to ensure a well-coordinated referral process. Grantees are required to develop and implement strategies to mitigate language barriers to mental health services (for example, funding refugee community health workers to be trained in medical interpretation, including interpreting in mental health).; Targeted Wellness Groups: Host or facilitate community-based activities, targeted wellness group activities for specific interests and populations (e.g., meditation group, womens’ sewing group, etc.), and other opportunities for relationship building amongst refugee populations to overcome feelings of isolation.
