Participation Type
Paper
Presentation #1 Title
Rural Women, Depression and Community Health Workers Role
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
In light of the mental health provider shortages, this project focused on how community health workers (CHW) could be employed as a resource for rural women dealing with depression. The prevalence of depression among rural women is nearly twice the national average, yet limited mental health services and social barriers restrict access to treatment. This project looked at a creative approach to rural depression care using the community-based expertise and human resources of CHWs already established in rural communities. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with CHWs, primary care providers, and mental health providers to elicit their experiences responding to rural woman with depression and to identify their perspectives on ways CHWs could enhance mental healthcare for rural women with depression. Consistent themes emerged from the interviews regarding the substantial contributions of CHWs in addressing depression in rural women. These included improving recognition of depression; deepening rural women’s engagement within existing services; and offering sustained, culturally appropriate support. Additionally, in the absence of adequate rural healthcare professionals, CHWs can recognize both silent and articulated mental health needs; provide culturally appropriate, reliable support to women; and enhance their engagement within existing treatment options. Reimagining depression care for rural women due to challenges of high rates of physical comorbidities, extensive family responsibilities and gendered expectations of strength is a must and CHWs appear to be a valuable resource in providing this care.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Dr. Frances Feltner is the Director of the University of Kentucky Center of Excellence in Rural Health, located in Hazard, Kentucky. She also serves as the Principal Investigator of Kentucky Homeplace, a community health worker program, which has been recognized by the Center for Disease Control, Healthy People 2020 and the national Rural Assistance Center as a successful Model in Innovation. Dr. Feltner has more than 40 years of experience in rural health care.
Rural Women, Depression and Community Health Workers Role
In light of the mental health provider shortages, this project focused on how community health workers (CHW) could be employed as a resource for rural women dealing with depression. The prevalence of depression among rural women is nearly twice the national average, yet limited mental health services and social barriers restrict access to treatment. This project looked at a creative approach to rural depression care using the community-based expertise and human resources of CHWs already established in rural communities. Interviews and focus groups were conducted with CHWs, primary care providers, and mental health providers to elicit their experiences responding to rural woman with depression and to identify their perspectives on ways CHWs could enhance mental healthcare for rural women with depression. Consistent themes emerged from the interviews regarding the substantial contributions of CHWs in addressing depression in rural women. These included improving recognition of depression; deepening rural women’s engagement within existing services; and offering sustained, culturally appropriate support. Additionally, in the absence of adequate rural healthcare professionals, CHWs can recognize both silent and articulated mental health needs; provide culturally appropriate, reliable support to women; and enhance their engagement within existing treatment options. Reimagining depression care for rural women due to challenges of high rates of physical comorbidities, extensive family responsibilities and gendered expectations of strength is a must and CHWs appear to be a valuable resource in providing this care.
