Document Type
Portfolio
Publication Date
Winter 2-4-2026
Abstract
Goal Statement
My goal is to prevent depression among single mothers ages 20–30 in low-income areas of Southeast Missouri by expanding access to community-based emotional support, parenting resources, and skills training that strengthen coping and resilience.
Significant Findings
Young single mothers in Southeast Missouri, especially those in their twenties, often carry the emotional and financial weight of raising children on their own, which puts them at higher risk for long-term stress and depression when support is limited (Tafet & Nemeroff, 2016; NAMI Missouri, 2025). Many face persistent barriers such as high childcare costs, reduced access to mental health providers, transportation challenges, and social isolation are factors that compound daily stress and make it harder to cope in healthy ways (Stack & Meredith, 2018; Watson & Kalkat, 2024). Research shows that untreated stress can progress into significant depressive symptoms, affecting mothers’ overall well-being and their children’s emotional and developmental health (Kim et al., 2018). Data from Missouri also indicate that depression rates in the state are slightly higher than the national average, reinforcing the need for early prevention efforts (America’s Health Rankings, 2025; CDC, 2025). Findings across ecological and theoretical perspectives highlight the importance of strengthening social support, building coping skills, and increasing access to culturally responsive mental health resources (SAMHSA, 2019; McDonnell & Gracia, 2024). Recommendations include expanding community-based support groups, collaborating with trusted local organizations, and incorporating evidence-based programs like The Incredible Years to help reduce isolation, enhance parenting confidence, and prevent depression from developing or worsening (Thoits, 2011; What Works Clearinghouse, 2011).
Objectives/Strategies/Interventions/Next Steps
1. Establish Weekly Community-Based Support Groups Create weekly support groups for single mothers ages 20–30 in partnership with local community centers, churches, and family resource organizations. These groups should focus on emotional support, stress-management skills, and reducing social isolation which are crucial protective factors that help prevent depression among mothers experiencing financial strain and limited support (SAMHSA, 2019; Watson & Kalkat, 2024).
2. Strengthen Community Infrastructure by Coordinating Childcare andTransportation Support Work with local churches, community centers, and transit services to provide free or reduced-cost childcare and transportation during support groups, counseling sessions, and workshops. Limited childcare and transportation are major barriers for single mothers in Southeast Missouri, and reducing these barriers increases engagement and access to preventive services (Stack & Meredith, 2018; SAMHSA, 2019).
3. Develop Practical Skill-Building Workshops to Increase Coping and Self-Efficacy Offer monthly workshops covering budgeting, stress-management techniques, problem-solving skills, and resource navigation. These workshops support self-efficacy, a key component of Social Cognitive Theory, and help mothers feel more capable of handling daily stressors—an important buffer against depression (Bandura, 1977; Thoits, 2011).
4. Expand Access to Mental Health Screenings and Culturally Responsive Services Partner with local clinics and public health departments to provide free or low-cost early mental health screenings for young mothers. Staff should be trained in culturally responsive practices to address barriers commonly experienced by Black and Hispanic mothers in low-income rural areas, such as stigma, transportation issues, and lack of culturally competent providers (U.S. Census Bureau, 2024; ACA, 2014).
5. Implement The Incredible Years Parenting Program as a Preventive Intervention Collaborate with a regional behavioral health agency or family services organization to deliver The Incredible Years evidence-based program. This program strengthens parenting confidence, reduces stress, and fosters positive parent-child interactions—outcomes shown to reduce the risk of depressive symptoms in single mothers facing economic hardship (What Works Clearinghouse, 2011; Kim et al., 2018)
