Uplifting Voices to Create New Alternatives

Abstract

The present study used a structural social work theoretical lens to undertake a systematic mental health needs assessment. Using a community-based participatory research approach and a two-phase mixed methods design, the researchers assessed mental health needs and barriers to care among 2,556 adults of primarily Mexican background from ten economically marginalized communities in Chicago’s southwest side. Findings indicated that mental health concerns including depression, anxiety, and trauma-related symptoms were prevalent among community members and stemmed from the oppressive national and local level structural contexts in which they lived. Furthermore, data demonstrated that research participants overwhelmingly identified structural and programmatic barriers, rather than social barriers such as stigma, as posing the greatest challenges to mental health service access. Among the structural and programmatic barriers identified were service cost, lack of insurance coverage, and limited availability of services that were culturally affirming and responsive to context-specific service needs. This study has far-reaching implications for understanding the impact of structural factors on mental health. We recommend that social workers advocate for organizational and policy changes that address these structural barriers.