Community Perceptions of Mental Health Needs in an Underserved Minority Neighborhood

Abstract

Accurate information is needed to facilitate health equity in underserved communities. This community-based participatory study asked residents about the meaning of mental health, their perceptions of community mental health needs, barriers to accessing mental health care, and acceptability of mental health services that are integrated in primary health clinics. Forty-five primarily African-American residents from urban communities participated in focus groups. Findings revealed high prevalence of substance abuse, depression, crime, and stigma about mental illness, with multiple access barriers. Participants were receptive to mental health care integrated in primary care, if others did not know they were receiving mental health care.

Review: Community-Based Participatory Research Approach to Address Mental Health in Minority Populations

“…Mixed methods approaches, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, were documented in many studies Michael et al 2008). Community engagement was found to be essential in the process of identifying suitable data collection procedures and in creating/adapting instruments that are culturally sensitive to the target community (Roberts et al 2008). …”

“…In this category, there were four primary foci: (1) clients and community perception of mental health understanding, coping, needs, access and barriers (Maar et al 2009;Roberts et al 2008;Shattell et al 2008), including acceptability of mental health services delivered in primary care (Roberts et al 2008) and strategies, strengths and challenges related to collaborative Aboriginal mental health care in rural area (Maar et al 2009); (2) assessment of daily discrimination in relation to depression, depressive symptoms and self-rated general health (Schulz et al 2006) and perceptions, responses and needs regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) (Shoultz et al 2010); (3) assessment of school systems (e.g., teacher-assistance teams, organizational dynamics) that could be used to create an intervention to improve behavioral and academic functioning of minority students (Mulvaney-Day et al 2006).…”

A Review of Community-Based Participatory Research: A Promising Approach to Address Depression Among Latinos?

“…Mixed methods approaches, combining quantitative and qualitative research methods, were documented in many studies (Bluthenthal et al 2006;Michael et al 2008). Community engagement was found to be essential in the process of identifying suitable data collection procedures and in creating/adapting instruments that are culturally sensitive to the target community (Roberts et al 2008). …”

“…Promotoras were reported to be highly effective in the following areas: (1) advising, creating, and validating culturally appropriate instruments to collect data, (2) recruiting participants (Roberts, et al 2008), (3) …”

“…In this category, there were four primary foci: (1) clients and community perception of mental health understanding, coping, needs, access and barriers (Maar et al 2009;Roberts et al 2008;Shattell et al 2008), including acceptability of mental health services delivered in primary care (Roberts et al 2008) and strategies, strengths and challenges related to collaborative Aboriginal mental health care in rural area (Maar et al 2009); (2) assessment of daily discrimination in relation to depression, depressive symptoms and self-rated general health (Schulz et al 2006) and perceptions, responses and needs regarding intimate partner violence (IPV) (Shoultz et al 2010); (3) assessment of school systems (e.g., teacherassistance teams, organizational dynamics) that could be used to create an intervention to improve behavioral and academic functioning of minority students (Mulvaney-Day et al 2006).…”