334978
An examination of the perceived burden of mental illness and services needed by individuals seeking care at federally qualified community health center in Nebraska
Methods:Student researcher developed comprehensive survey instrument around Healthy People 2020 Leading Health Indicator component areas. Survey was administered to 131 staff members (17 male/114 female) ages 19 an older, of which 70% identified themselves as members of community served. Mixed methods using Likert scales and open-ended questions were developed to assess perceived health status, existing community strengths, and services needed. Chi-square analyses assessed associations between factors identified.
Results:Depression and anxiety were perceived as greatest mental health burden among members of community served. Over 80% of respondents indicated depression, and 70% believed anxiety is among the greatest mental health problems affecting individuals in the community. Chi-square analyses showed significant associations between perceived burden of depression and anxiety, and social and environmental factors perceived to influence the health of individuals served. Perceived needed services included those offering coping resources through health education and health promotion programs, and those related to helping immigrant populations with psychological adaptation.
Conclusion: FQHCs are often the only means for seeking care among disadvantaged populations. Given that FQHCs are trusted sources for information sharing and community building, these offer an ideal setting for introducing cross-cutting interventions aimed at alleviating burden of mental illness through innovative population based programs.
Learning Areas:
Administer health education strategies, interventions and programsAdvocacy for health and health education
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Planning of health education strategies, interventions, and programs
Public health or related research
Social and behavioral sciences
Learning Objectives:
Explain need for integration of innovative components in the design of population based mental health promotion programs. Analyze social and environmental factors associated with depression and anxiety. Describe wide range of services needed by individuals served at Federally Qualified Health Centers.
Keyword(s): Community Health Workers and Promoters, Mental Health
Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am a PhD student in health promotion and disease prevention research, and have been involved in program planning and management both as a student and as a public health professional as part of my position at the University Nebraska Medical Center. My undergraduate degree is in community health education and psychology. As a first generation American I am particularly passionate about studying the link between social factors and mental health outcomes.
Any relevant financial relationships? No
I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.