Description
This salon presentation discusses social justice factors involved in the access and utilizations of mental health services and provides an integrative framework to consider culturally congruent dimensions involved in the process of accessing and utilizing such services (Chow, Jaffee, & Snowden, 2003; Consoli, 2000). The presentation then summarizes research findings from a qualitative study that took place in San Francisco, California, where Mexicans/Mexican-Americans who were poor or near poor had successfully accessed specialty care services in the public sector for unipolar depression. The findings are presented in terms of bridges and barriers in accessing and utilizing mental health services (see mhGAP WHO, 2010).
While there has been ample documentation of the barriers in accessing care and widespread underutilization of mental health services by Mexicans/Mexican-Americans, a growing literature is focusing on instances of realized care and successful outcome (Bardes, 2012; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1999; Satcher, 2000). The presentation underscores facilitative and impeding factors in accessing and utilizing mental health services (Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration, 2013). It highlights culturally congruent dimensions such as confianza (trust) and the bridging of stigma by Mexicans/Mexican-Americans. It also offers a metaphor that frames successful experiences, caldeamiento (approx., warming in), a process that fosters access and utilization (compared and contrasted to enfriamiento or approx., cooling off, a process that turns clients away). In caldeamiento, patients’ demands are appreciated in a cultural context that affirms help-seeking. Providers articulate through their actions receptivity, responsivity, and a welcoming attitude that ultimately addresses a likely, implicit if not right out explicit question that many patients bring to the first encounter “¿Dr., estoy loco/a?” (“Dr., am I crazy?”).
1. Critique the traditional models of access and utilization of mental health services.
2. Describe an integrative model that takes into account a range of culturally congruent variables accounting for access and utilization of mental health services by people in general and by Mexicans/Mexican-Americans in particular.
3. Use the understanding of the findings of a research project concerning facilitative and impeding factors to improve access and utilization of mental health services by Mexicans/Mexican-Americans.
Timed Outline:
5:15-5:30 pm: Greet, sign in and socialize
5:30-5:35 pm: Introduction of speaker and opening remarks
5:35–6:45 pm: Presentation focusing on the above objectives
6:45-7:00 pm: Q&A and Evaluations
Directions to venue will be emailed with Registration.
1.5 CE hours available for California-licensed Psychologists, MFTs and LSCWs
CPA is co-sponsoring with the Santa Barbara Psychological Association. The California Psychological Association is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CPA maintains responsibility for this program and its contents.
Important Notice: Those who attend the workshop and complete the CPA evaluation form will receive 1.5 continuing education credits. Please note that APA CE rules require that we only give credit to those who attend the entire workshop. Those arriving more than 15 minutes after the start time or leaving before the workshop is completed will not receive CE credits.
Sincerely,
SBCPA Continuing Education Committee
