The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #60408

Sharon P Haber, MS, Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center, Inc., 6763 Land O Lakes Blvd., Land O Lakes, FL 34639, (813) 631-4350, shaber@gnahec.org

Since 1998 Gulfcoast North Area Health Education Center has collaborated with the University of South Florida's School of Social Work program to establish unique training sites for graduate level social work students at several inner-city community clinics where minimal to no mental health care services previously existed. The program has been a resounding success. Residents of Hillsborough County Florida who have a verified need are counseled, often on an ongoing basis as well as given information and referrals to other community resources. An on-site licensed clinician supervises the graduate social work students as they get regular referrals from physicians at all the clinics. The students have an opportunity to work with issues that include substance abuse, mental illness, coping problems, domestic violence, and physical illness, advocating for the clients when appropriate or empowering them to advocate for self. The individuals served are the poorest of the poor in this county and have previously not had anywhere to turn when problems arose in their lives. The profundity and myriad aspects of the problems presented not only demonstrate the significance of the need but help the social work students learn to practice the broadest type of mental health counseling and traditional social work services.

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of our presentation the participants should be able to:
• Identify how partnerships between the academic and community settings can be facilitated by Area Health Education Centers nationally.
• Evaluate a model that works with reduced mental health budgets in a burgeoning mental health crisis.
• Develop effective strategies that advocate for inclusion of non-traditional mental health services into medically underserved settings.

Keywords: Access to Care, Mental Health

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.