Engaging Parents in Mental Health Services: A Qualitative Study of Community Health Workers’ Strategies in High Poverty Urban Communities

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erika L. Gustafson ◽  
Davielle Lakind ◽  
Angela L. Walden ◽  
Dana Rusch ◽  
Marc S. Atkins
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
High Poverty

scholarly journals A qualitative Study of TB Health Workers’ and Stakeholders’ Conceptualisation, Screening and Treatment of Mental Distress Experienced by TB Patients in Zambia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tila Mwinde Mainga ◽  
Melleh Gondwe ◽  
Robert C Stewart ◽  
Islay Mactaggart ◽  
Kwame Shanaube ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
Mental Distress ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Treatment Options ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Mental Health Training

Abstract BackgroundThere is an increased recognition to integrate mental health services into routine TB care. For a successful integration TB health workers and stakeholders need to be receptive to mental health services being delivered in tandem with TB services. Additionally, policy makers need to understand the current practices by TB health workers around treatment of mentally distressed TB patients. In this qualitative study we aimed to understand how TB health workers and other TB stakeholders viewed mental distress linked to TB and how they screened and treated mental distress in their patients. MethodsThe study draws on qualitative data collected in 2018 as part of the Tuberculosis Reduction through Expanded Antiretroviral Treatment and Screening for active TB trial (TREATS). TREATS was conducted in 8 urban communities in Zambia. The data was collected through 17 focus group discussions with local health committees (n=96) and TB stakeholders (n=57), and in-depth interviews with TB health workers (n=9). Thematic analysis was conducted. ResultsTB stakeholders and health workers had an inadequate understanding of mental ill health and commonly described mental distress experienced by TB patients using the stigmatizing term “madness” . Mental distress was also described as “ overthinking”, which participants attributed to psychosocial drivers of distress and inadequate knowledge of TB by TB patients rather than a condition that would benefit from a mental health intervention. ConclusionsTB stakeholders and health care workers in Zambia are cognisant of the mental health implication of TB on TB patients. There are no standard screening or treatment options for mental distress in TB patients. TB health workers in Zambia could benefit from mental health training which should aim to increase knowledge about mental health and chronic illness while shifting negative attitudes around mental illnessTrial registration number: NCT03739736

School-Based Mental Health Services for Children Living in High Poverty Urban Communities

2006 ◽  
Vol 33 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-159 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marc S. Atkins ◽  
Stacy L. Frazier ◽  
Dina Birman ◽  
Jaleel Abdul Adil ◽  
Maudette Jackson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Health Services ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Urban Communities ◽  
High Poverty ◽  
School Based

scholarly journals Community Health Workers Can Provide Psychosocial Support to the People During COVID-19 and Beyond in Low- and Middle- Income Countries

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabuj Kanti Mistry ◽  
Ben Harris-Roxas ◽  
Uday Narayan Yadav ◽  
Sadia Shabnam ◽  
Lal Bahadur Rawal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Health Systems ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
The People

The COVID-19 pandemic has been the most challenging public health issue which not only affected the physical health of the global population but also aggravated the mental health conditions such as stress, anxiety, fear, depression and anger. While mental health services are seriously hampered amid this COVID-19 pandemic, health services, particularly those of Low- and Middle- Income Countries (LMICs) are looking for alternatives to provide psychosocial support to the people amid this COVID-19 and beyond. Community Health Workers (CHWs) are an integral part of the health systems in many LMICs and played significant roles such as health education, contact tracing, isolation and mobilization during past emergencies and amid COVID-19 in many LMICs. However, despite their potentials in providing psychosocial support to the people amid this COVID-19 pandemic, they have been underutilized in most health systems in LMICs. The CHWs can be effectively engaged to provide psychosocial support at the community level. Engaging them can also be cost-saving as they are already in place and may cost less compared to other health professionals. However, they need training and supervision and their safety and security needs to be protected during this COVID-19. While many LMICs have mental health policies but their enactment is limited due to the fragility of health systems and limited health care resources. CHWs can contribute in this regard and help to address the psychosocial vulnerabilities of affected population in LMICs during COVID-19 and beyond.

scholarly journals A Qualitative Study on The Role of Community Health Workers In Influencing Social Connectedness Using The Household Model: A Case Study of Neno District, Malawi

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Myness Stella Kasanda Ndambo ◽  
Fabien Munyaneza ◽  
Moses Aron ◽  
Henry Makungwa ◽  
Annie Michaelis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Qualitative Study ◽  
Health Services ◽  
Community Health ◽  
Community Health Workers ◽  
Social Connectedness ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Individual Agency ◽  
Stigma And Discrimination ◽  
Household Model

Abstract Background: There is growing global recognition that community health workers (CHWs) play a key role in facilitating social connectedness. Through direct interactions and relationship building, CHWs link people to key services such as healthcare and social support. Several models aim to understand how CHWs facilitate these interactions, but the theory of change is not yet fully understood. In Neno District, Malawi, CHWs recently transitioned from a disease-focused model to what we call the “household model.” Under the household model, each CHW is assigned to several households to provide screening and linkage to care, as well as psychosocial and chronic disease support. We theorise that this public health approach facilitates social connectedness in the households and rural communities served by CHWs. We aim to understand drivers of influence on social connections from the CHW-, healthcare worker-, and patient perspectives. Methods: This was a cross-sectional qualitative study utilising focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth semi-structured interviews with purposively sampled community stakeholders, CHWs, health service providers, and patients (total N=180) from October 2018 through March 2020. Results: Participants reported improved social interactions and connectedness and increased access to health care in their communities following the transition to the household model. This was driven by factors including reduced stigma and discrimination, empowerment of households and community members, and fostering both social cohesiveness and individual agency in accessing health services. The main themes that emanated from this study are; expansion of care by CHWs, trust in CHW’s provision of care, and equal treatment of community members by CHWs. Conclusion: Our study demonstrates that through the polyvalent household model, CHWs foster high levels of social connectedness in the communities, evidenced by a reported reduction in stigma and discrimination and an increase in individual agency in accessing health services.

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