Part I- The Problem

Declining mental health is the greatest threat to the Gunnison Youth in the next decade. Since 2015, drug use and rates of depression have gone up.

Part I, Simplified.

Basically, Part 1 of our Scope of Work simply states the problem. It is important that we state the problem before we try to solve it.

Part II- How We Will Assess It

We are going to begin assessing the problem by gathering data. Our first set of data will be existing data that has already been collected. This data will help us start putting things together, as well as establishing that the mental health crisis is manageable. We will be collecting the second set of data through special initiatives, Project Gothic and Project Snowmass. Project Gothic is a survey designed for gathering data from students. The purpose of this survey is to find out specific data about teens and their mental health. Project Snowmass is a survey that will be sent to the parents of teenagers in Gunnison. We plan on having two different ways to take the survey. The first will be online; the second will be through the mail. These two options will allow people to take the survey in whichever way feels more comfortable to them. We will construct both survey methods to be completely confidential. This will ensure that people give the most honest answers possible so all of our data is correct.

Part II, Simplified.

Essentially, we will begin by collecting a TON of data. It's important that we know as much as possible in order to be successful. Firstly, we will analyze data that already exists. Secondly, we will gather our own data with independent community polling, using new fields of technology, social sciences, and advanced means of technology. This will be our way to make sure that we collect the best data possible.

Part III- How We Will Remedy It

The remedy will be a community action plan, rather than a program. After assessing the data, we will work with all of the organizations in the community to assemble a crisis safety-net. This safety-net will be easily accessible through numerous mediums. If any programs need to be established, The Gunnison Project will find a way to work with local organizations to facilitate them. By having an easy to access action plan, designed to cater to each student, we can ensure that resources are easy to access and use, even anonymously.

Part III, Simplified.

The goal here is to use our data to see what students need. With those ideas, we will be able to organize the resources our community has to best work for students. This may involve creating specialized plans to help students in different situations.

Part IV- Conclusion

If we are successful, both independently collected and external data will show it. This initiative, if executed duly and correctly, will single handedly be the most influential factor in averting, and possibly reversing, the youth mental health crisis. When we find that we have significantly impacted the crisis, we will continue to monitor the situation to respond appropriately and prevent another spike.

Part IV, Simplified.

Again, it's another game with numbers. If we can see that our crisis has been significantly impacted, when we will move onto maintaining a better mental health landscape.

Definitions

There are some words in this plan that will be keywords through research and development.

Take a chance to familiarize yourself with them.

Youth Mental Health Crisis - the current state of mental health in our community, where there is a disconnection of resources and people

Community - the residents of Gunnison and their organizations

Independently Collected Data - data that is collected through a new system created by The Gunnison Project

Students - any member of the Gunnison youth between ages 12 and 18