Abstract:
Having a parent with mental illness increases a child’s likelihood of developing mental health disorders later in life (Afifi, 2008). Studies have found that mothers with mental health conditions are more likely to have children who experience behavioral difficulties (Whitaker, 2006). More specifically, observing a parent with mental illness can affect a child’s ability to manage their emotions and handle stress. In this intervention, we will be targeting children 4-18 within Alachua County. Our intervention will involve conducting monthly workshops within schools that educate students on mental health, how to cope with a family member experiencing mental illness and how to manage feelings of depression and anxiety. Interventions will be tailored between elementary, middle and high school students and will cover strategies to manage and identify feelings of distress as well as how to seek psychological help from community resources.
Public Health Framework:
This project will utilize a public health framework by raising awareness on mental health disorders and community resources, that will, in turn, have ripple effects into a child’s family as well as public policy. This study could provide further justification for standard public policies that allow for easier access to mental health resources, treatment and medication which could prevent exposure to the trauma associated with having a parent or family member with a mental illness. Secondary preventative measures include screening participants for ACEs and conducting early psychological evaluations in order to determine appropriate treatment. Tertiary preventative measures include educational workshops on mental health, coping strategies and emotional awareness and regulation.
Social Ecological Model:
This project will address the individual, relationship and community levels of the CDC’s social ecological model (National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, 2020). Individuals will be assessed for ACEs and offered individualized care if seen fit. The majority of this project will focus on the relationship level of the social ecological model as students are encouraged to work collaboratively with the research staff and their peers to better understand mental health and how to cope with mental health illnesses experienced both directly and indirectly. At the community level, this project is partnering with local mental health clinics to ensure that participants have access to these resources. Going forward, we will incorporate the societal level of the social ecological model in order to fuel policy changes at the state level that enforce better access to mental health resources for students and community members alike.
Trauma-Informed Principles:
This project will tie in trauma-informed principles by applying safety, collaboration and mutuality and peer support and mutual self-help (S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2014). The principle of safety will be applied as this project focuses on creating a safe space for adolescents to openly discuss issues pertaining to mental health with both researchers and peers. Parts of this project will also focus applying the principle of collaboration and mutuality by focusing on connecting students and parents with community resources and offering a collaborative approach to addressing individual and community needs. The principle of mutuality and peer support will be applied as the majority of the workshops involved in this program will take place in a group setting and high school students specifically will be given the opportunity to communicate and share with peers in regards to both personal mental health experiences and home life conditions. Additionally, students are encouraged to share their experiences within a safe space and offer support to peers in order to enforce healthy relationship building and constructive problem solving collaboratively.
References:
- Afifi TO, Enns MW, Cox BJ, Asmundson GJ, Stein MB, Sareen J. Population attributable fractions of psychiatric disorders and suicide ideation and attempts associated with adverse childhood experiences. Am J Public Health. 2008 May; 98(5):946-52.
- Whitaker RC, Orzol SM, Kahn RS. Maternal mental health, substance use, and domestic violence in the year after delivery and subsequent behavior problems in children at age 3 years. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006 May; 63(5):551-60.
- National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. 2020. The Social-Ecological Model: A Framework for Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/violencepr...ecologicalmodel.html
- S. Department of Health and Human Services. July 2014. SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach. SAMHSA’s Trauma and Justice Strategic Initiative. https://ncsacw.samhsa.gov/user...es/SAMHSA_Trauma.pdf
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