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Supporting the mental health needs of underserved communities: A qualitative study of barriers to accessing community resources
Author(s) -
Torres Sanchez Alejandra,
Park Alayna L.,
Chu Wendy,
Letamendi Andrea,
Stanick Cameo,
Regan Jennifer,
Perez Gina,
Manners Debbie,
Oh Glory,
Chorpita Bruce F.
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/jcop.22633
Subject(s) - mental health , thematic analysis , agency (philosophy) , nursing , psychology , welfare , qualitative research , medicine , psychiatry , sociology , political science , social science , law
This study examined the accessibility of community resources (e.g., welfare programs and afterschool programs) for underserved youth and families with mental health needs. Mental health professionals ( n = 52) from a large community mental health and welfare agency serving predominantly low‐income, Latinx families completed a semistructured interview that asked about the accessibility of community resources. Participant responses were coded using an inductive thematic analysis. Results showed that 71% of participants endorsed availability barriers (e.g., limited local programs), 37% endorsed logistical barriers (e.g., waitlists), 27% endorsed attitudinal barriers (e.g., stigmatized beliefs about help‐seeking), and 23% endorsed knowledge barriers (e.g., lacking awareness about local programs). Professionals' perceived availability barriers were mostly consistent with the actual availability of community resources. Findings highlight the compounding challenges that underserved communities face and point to opportunities for promoting enhanced well‐being and functioning for youth and families with mental health needs.