Online Program

329046
Perspectives on depression and accessibility of services in low-income communities in New York City: Results from a Community Needs Assessment


Tuesday, November 3, 2015 : 10:30 a.m. - 10:50 a.m.

Maya Scherer, MPH, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New york, NY
Maysoun Freij, PhD, MPH, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Tongtan Chantarat, MPH, CLC, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Ebele Benjamin, RN, MPH, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Lindsey Realmuto, MPH, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Sharon Abbott, NYC Health and Hospital Corporation, New York, NY
Dona Green, NYC Health and Hospital Corporation, New York, NY
Steven Fass, NYC Health and Hospital Corporation, New York, NY
Christopher Philippou, NYC Health and Hospital Corporation, New York, NY
Linda Weiss, PhD, Center for Evaluation and Applied Research, The New York Academy of Medicine, New York, NY
Background: Depression and serious psychological distress are recognized as persistent conditions among residents of low-income New York City neighborhoods according to publicly available survey data. Yet few research studies explore residents’ perceptions of mental health issues, including underlying causes or perceived access to treatment.

Methods: In 2014, a mixed-method community needs assessment was conducted including 1,908 surveys with primarily low-income New Yorkers in three boroughs; 64 focus groups; and 41 key informant interviews. Data focused on factors in the community that might facilitate or impede health, physical and behavioral health concerns, service utilization, and access to care.

Findings: Twenty percent of survey respondents reported current mental health issues, including depression or anxiety. Focus group findings suggest community members attribute poor mental health to socio-economic factors, including unemployment, immigration experiences, lack of affordable housing, and poverty.  Focus group participants and key informants often reported that they saw significant value in mental health service use. However, care was often difficult to access because of long wait times, insurance restrictions, and persistent social stigma.  In the words of one participant, “People don’t tell because they fear that they will be ridiculed and talked about. We should encourage people to get help. Or the problem will get worse.”

Implications: The common contention that contextual factors are associated with poor mental health suggests a need to incorporate a social determinants perspective within mental health services. This research also illuminates contextual barriers that must be addressed in order to increase access to existing services.

Learning Areas:

Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe perspectives on depression and accessibility of mental health services among low income communities in New York City.

Keyword(s): Depression, Low-Income

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have carried out research and programmatic work on issues affecting low-income urban populations in New York City as well as Austin, Texas. I was also a member of the primary data collection team for the community needs assessment upon which this abstract is based.
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.