Background: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are associated with poorer health outcomes among adults. As use of ACEs increases, it may be useful to consider a framework of resilience or positive childhood experiences. The Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCE) scale focuses on positive childhood experiences. The relationship between ACEs, BCEs, and health outcomes is still unclear.

Objective: To describe the relationship between childhood adversity, positive experiences, and health outcomes.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving undergraduate students in California. From March to May 2024. We administered a web-based survey that included conventional adverse childhood experiences focused on household-level adversity (psychological, physical or sexual abuse; domestic violence against the mother; or living with household members who were substance abusers, mentally ill or suicidal, or ever imprisoned). Positive childhood experiences were assessed using the benevolent childhood experiences scale (positive experience with parents, peers, teachers, and extended social networks, a supportive environment, and a predictable routine). For both, ACEs and BCEs, a “Yes” response was scored as 1 and a “No” response was scored as 0. The total score (range 0–10) was calculated by the sum of 10 items, with higher scores indicating greater exposure. Health outcomes were measured by asking: “Have you ever been diagnosed with (asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, anxiety, depression.)?” (Yes/No). Demographic data was also collected, and descriptive statistics were performed.

Results: A total of 294 undergraduate students participated. Mean age was 22 years. Eighty percent were female, 71% were Hispanic, 16% were White, 6% were Asian, 6% were Black. Those that reported high ACE and low BCE reported the most positive diagnosis, followed by those with high ACEs and high BCEs, then those with low ACEs and low BCEs, and lastly those with low ACEs and high BCEs.

Conclusion: There appears to be a dose-response relationship between childhood adversity and poor health. BCEs could counteract the negative effect of ACEs.

Background: Advancing mental health equity requires the full and meaningful participation of communities underrepresented in research partnerships. Previous groups that have been underrepresented research partnerships includes persons with disabilities, racial and ethnic minority groups, sexual and gender minority groups, children or youth and pregnant or postpartum women as examples of groups with limited engagement as researchers, partners, or participants in patient-centered outcomes research and comparative effectiveness research (PCOR/CER). The aim of this scoping review was to identify approaches and methods to engage underrepresented populations in meaningful research engagement activities and research partnerships.

Methods: Using Arksey and O’Malley’s scoping review framework, we systematically searched MEDLINE, PsycInfo, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science until December 2024. The search began in August 2024, yielding 33,298 relevant titles for review and a resulting 106 articles currently undergoing full-text data extraction. A participatory approach engages patient co-investigators and Advisory Council members throughout the review. A modified Delphi Panel will refine findings to inform future engagement tools.

Results: Preliminary findings will generate a catalog of engagement methods tailored to underrepresented populations in PCOR/CER mental health research. Findings will identify targeted barriers, populations engaged, implementation considerations, and available effectiveness data. Results will inform a relevance mapping tool and guidelines for advancing equity-focused engagement practices.

Discussion: This collaborative scoping review of all mental health services research using engagement strategies will produce evidence-based guidance to improve community health planning, policy development, and research partnership practices by addressing persistent barriers to equitable engagement. Findings will be directly applicable to CHPPD audiences working in planning, policy, and implementation.

Contribution to the Field: The scoping review directly contributes to CHPPD's focus on advancing equity through community-partnered planning and policy by offering actionable, evidence-based engagement methods tailored for populations historically underrepresented in mental health research.

Introduction: In Fulton County, Georgia, marginalized groups are less likely to seek mental and behavioral health services, which was exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these concerns, a collaborative initiative involving the Fulton County Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (FCDBHDD), The Blk Cross, and Morehouse School of Medicine was launched. This initiative aimed to enhance mental and behavioral health services by reducing stigma, improving health literacy, and increasing service utilization.

Objective: To demonstrate the implementation of a mental and behavioral health resources program designed to reduce stigma and increase access.

Description of Evidence: A mixed methods evaluation assessed the impact of COVID-19 on mental health. Findings revealed that 36.8% of respondents reported that COVID-19 had a negative impact on their mental health. Despite this, 60.3% of respondents felt comfortable discussing mental health concerns. Focus groups identified the following themes: barriers to accessing therapy, negative changes in mental and behavioral health due to COVID-19, the need for effective coping mechanisms, and culturally appropriate strategies for promoting mental health services. Additionally, windshield and walking surveys assessed community behavioral health services. Of the 97 verified behavioral health services identified, 12 (12.4%) were in the southern areas of Fulton County whereas north and central Fulton accounted for majority of services, 46 (47.4%) and 39 (40.2%) respectively.

Description of program activities: To address the need for accessible behavioral health services in South Fulton, FCDBHDD deployed a mobile health unit. The unit disseminated information about mental illness and substance use disorders, facilitated appointment scheduling via the mobile unit at FCDBHDD locations, and promoted preventive health measures to reduce risk for COVID-19.

Conclusion: FCDBHDD mobile unit was accessed at 37 community events in Fulton County, and served 12,139 participants. Although this resource has contributed to increased access of mental health services in Fulton County, Georgia residents, it’s essential to sustain these resources to track anticipated positive trends in mental and behavioral health.

Recommendations: Efforts to destigmatize mental health, enhance service accessibility, and improve communication about available resources will create a more supportive environment, ultimately increasing service utilization and fostering long-term community well-being.

Introduction
In 2022, maternal mortality rates in Michigan were 57.0 per 100,000 for non-Hispanic Black women, 3 times higher than that of non-Hispanic White women (17.4 per 100,000 live births). This underscores deep racial and geographic inequities. Rural mothers in Michigan also face significant challenges accessing timely and comprehensive maternal care, contributing to poorer outcomes. This presentation highlights the Michigan Healthy Mom (MI MOM) mobile app, a multi-level community-based intervention designed to address modifiable mortality risk factors.

Theory
MI MOM seeks scalability and reach, while still maintaining a high degree of personalization, through a pragmatic technology-centric approach that draws upon social support theory, health belief model principles, and evidence-based practices in maternal health interventions. Grounded in community-engaged principles, MI MOM is specifically tailored to address the unique challenges faced by Black and rural communities in Michigan.

Program
MI MOM operates at four levels: 1) Community: participants have live text chat access to a community health worker who can facilitate access to services from local community-based organizations, 2) Provider: healthcare providers receive information on implicit bias and culturally competent care, 3) Support system: up to three members of the pregnant person’s support network receive biweekly text messages with information and links facilitating support of their loved one, 4) Individual: the pregnant person receives weekly text messages with links to videos, websites, and interactive microinterventions on key topics such as Early Maternal Warning Signs (EMWS). We will evaluate effectiveness through a site-randomized trial with 10 sites and 500 participants, measuring effects on key mortality risks and overall morbidity, with separate analyses assessing effects within each community.

Conclusion
The MI MOM app intervenes at multiple levels, using personalized and culturally consistent methods, to directly confront unacceptable maternal health disparities.

Recommendations
Public health initiatives in Michigan focused on achieving maternal health equity must prioritize strategies that actively engage and educate the support systems of pregnant individuals in Black and rural communities. This includes the development and widespread dissemination of culturally tailored resources, the implementation of ongoing inclusive learning opportunities, and a sustained commitment to dismantling implicit bias within the healthcare system.

Objective: The rise in substance use disorders (SUDs) and mental illnesses after the COVID-19 pandemic is well reported. However, it is not clear whether the rates of mental illness comorbidity (having two or more mental illness diagnoses) have increased, leading to worsened rates of morbidity and mortality. The objectives of this study were to compare mental illness comorbidity rates before and after the pandemic, and to test associations between mental illness comorbid status, COVID-19/Long COVID, physical illness/demographic factors among patients with SUD.

Method: We used a retrospective cross-sectional design. Patients (N= 233,017) were mostly males (62.66%), 12 years or older, who utilized Virginia public hospitals from January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2022. We used Z tests to compare rates of mental illness comorbidity pre and post pandemic, and three-way Chi-squares to test associations between mental illness comorbidity, COVID-19/Long COVID, physical illness/demographic for patients with SUD.

Results: The rates of single and comorbid mental illness significantly increased from pre to post pandemic, p<0.001. Obesity, hypertension, and comorbid mental illness were significantly associated for patients with SUD, p<0.0001.

Conclusions: The relationship of physical illness, COVID-19/Long COVID, and mental illness comorbidity have not been studied before. This study demonstrates increased rates of mental illness comorbidity and their significant association with obesity, hypertension, and COVID-19/Long COVID for patients with SUD. These findings are important for healthcare leaders as new highly transmissible coronavirus subvariants are rising in the U.S., and obesity/hypertension remain major healthcare challenges, and SUD and mental illness rates continue to increase.