The Sac and Fox Nation is stepping up its mental‑health outreach after a surge in requests for support. Federal funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is enabling the tribe to broaden existing programs and launch new culturally‑focused initiatives.
Grant funding fuels curriculum and community work
Clinical director of behavioral health services Chelsea Waldrop said the tribe’s current grants are already backing a high‑school curriculum that teaches coping skills and resilience. “We’re seeing more students engage with mental‑health resources,” Waldrop explained.
Two additional grants are slated to arrive next month. Those funds will be directed toward substance‑use prevention, opioid response, and expanded counseling services. “We plan to offer more cultural events and teachings from Native elders, as well as expand services for substance‑use prevention, counseling and treatment,” Waldrop said.
“We Belong” campaign raises 988 lifeline awareness
The tribe’s “We Belong” campaign has dramatically increased awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Waldrop reported that recognition rose from about 47 % in earlier surveys to nearly 70 % in the most recent data collected at the tribe’s 988 Powwow.
“When you have a sense of belonging and a connection to any group—especially your culture—you’re more likely to see that as a protective, preventive factor,” Waldrop noted, emphasizing the role of cultural activities such as beadwork, elder conversations, and group gatherings in fostering that sense of belonging.
Looking ahead
Waldrop expressed optimism that the tribe’s combined educational, cultural, and clinical efforts will have a lasting impact on community well‑being. “Nobody should struggle alone. Everybody belongs,” she said, underscoring the tribe’s commitment to ensuring that every member has access to the help they need.
The expanded services reflect a broader trend of tribal nations leveraging federal resources to address mental‑health challenges while preserving cultural heritage. As the Sac and Fox Nation continues to build on these initiatives, the hope is that other tribal communities will see a model for integrating traditional practices with modern mental‑health care.
Original reporting: Oklahoma City News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
