WHEREAS, the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), established in 1972, serves all federally recognized American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) Tribal governments by advocating for the improvement of health care delivery to AI/ANs, as well as upholding the federal government’s trust responsibility to AI/AN Tribal governments; and

WHEREAS, the NIHB has a strong history of advancing the emotional, spiritual, and mental well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native people through the support of regulatory and Congressional action, advocacy for increased funding for behavioral health in Indian Country, creation of national venues to discuss behavioral health issues (such as suicide and substance use), and creation of educational and programmatic materials for Tribal public health professionals; and

WHEREAS, the high rates of behavioral health challenges among American Indian and Alaska Native people create an urgency for Tribes, federal agencies, and other stakeholders to partner in a manner that seeks to improve the health of all American Indians and Alaska Natives; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no one single, national document that elevates the importance of behavioral health for AI/AN people, identifies the collective priorities of Tribalcommunities related to behavioral health, and guides the development of/or incorporation of behavioral health-related actions intended to improve the well-being of American Indian and Alaska Native youth, families, and communities; and