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Assessing
Mental Health Needs in the Imperial Valley
A
Rural Mental Health Development Story
by Clinicas De Salud Del Pueblo, Brawley, CA
Recently
Clinicas
De Salud Del Pueblo, Inc. (CSP) completed a mental
health needs assessment conducted among Imperial County during
2005 and 2006. The assessment, titled Project Salud Libre was
funded by a grant from The
California Endowment.
Yvonne Bell, Chief Executive Officer of CSP and Board Member of
the California State Rural Health Association explains, "CSP
practitioners saw an increase in the need for mental health services
and the grant allowed us to conduct a mental health needs assessment
on a county level. By working collaboratively with other agencies
providing mental health services, this enabled us to strategically
identify and address the needs of our clients and community as
a whole."
The purpose
of Project
Salud Libre
was to evaluate the nature and scope of the mental health needs
within Imperial County, identify potential service gaps, and evaluate
CSP's capacity to meet these needs. In addition, a directory of
present services in both the Imperial and Mexicali Valleys was
developed that will be made available to the public, along with
the needs assessment results.
The data gathering was conducted by use of the Promotora model.
Focus groups, key informant interviews, and paper and pencil surveys
were conducted valley wide. The data analysis and evaluation component
was accomplished by the consultation assistance Clinical Psychologist
Drs. Joachim and Dolores Rodriguez Reimann from Professional &
Personal Excellence International. Drs.
Reimann developed the protocols that were utilized for the data
gathering process. The data was compiled and analyzed and has
been presented at various community meetings.
Highlights of Project
Salud Libre
key
findings include:
- Imperial
Valley residents tend to experience significant stressors. Most
commonly these are tied to limited and unstable economics, extreme
summer heat, isolation, and physical illness.
- There
is a clear unmet mental health service need in Imperial County.
Best estimates show that roughly 30% of resident are in noteworthy
distress. Yet fewer than 30% of such persons have ever received
any formal treatment.
- Links
between physical illnesses and emotional distress are well-recognized
by local residents. Respiratory illnesses, type 2 diabetes,
and cancer are prevalent physical concerns.
- Substance
abuse and dependence are also noteworthy problems in Imperial
County. Alcohol, methamphetamines, marijuana, Rohypnol, heroin,
and crack cocaine were the most frequently cited substances
of choice.
- Women,
adolescents, the elderly, and those who are less acculturated
(e.g., persons who speak little or no English) appear most at
risk for emotional distress.
- Service
barriers are most often economic. The number of uninsured is,
for example, high compared to nationally reported figures. But
too few culturally / linguistically competent providers, cultural
taboos against services, and lack of knowledge about mental
health treatment options are also major barriers. Limited English
speakers encounter some of the greatest barriers.
CSP is now
in the planning stage; presently they are visiting other community
based organization's to identify a feasible structure for the
service delivery of mental health services. The clinic anticipates
it will be providing mental health services in the near future.
To view the
preliminary executive summary, including additional key findings
and recommendations from the report Projecto Salud Libre:
An Assessment of the Mental Health Needs in Imperial County's
Communities,
click
here.
For additional information about Project Salud Libre, you may
contact Martin Medina, Program Manager of Clincas De Salud Del
Pueblo, Inc. at (760) 344-9951 x 126 or martinm@clinicasdesalud.org.
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