Document Type
Portfolio
Publication Date
2024
Abstract
Goal Statement: The goal of this project is to enhance access to culturally competent mental health services and support systems for impoverished youth in the Rio Grande Valley, thereby reducing barriers and improving overall mental health outcomes in this vulnerable population. Significant Findings: In the Rio Grande Valley, impoverished youth face significant barriers to accessing mental health care, exacerbated by factors such as economic hardship, immigration-related stressors, and cultural stigma. Research highlights the prevalence of anxiety, depression, and trauma-related disorders among these youth, underscoring the urgent need for targeted interventions. Recommendations include integrating evidence-based practices into school-based mental health initiatives, fostering community partnerships to expand service reach, and advocating for policy changes that prioritize mental health funding and support for immigrant families. Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps: To address the mental health needs of impoverished youth in the Rio Grande Valley, key objectives and strategies have been identified. These include introducing social emotional learning programs to schools, using parenting strategies like the Triple P parenting programs. Additionally, using community outreach to reduce stigma and raise awareness of mental health resources through media and events. Advocating for increased funding in schools and government assistant programs, aims to reduce poverty and increase opportunities for improvished youth. Lastly, advocacy efforts at the policy level will collaborate with local policymakers and groups to prioritize mental health services for impoverished youth, securing funding through Texas State Legislature. By implementing these strategies with community partners, the project aims to create a supportive mental health environment for impoverished youth in the Rio Grande Valley.
