Digital Commons Network^™

Adolescent Suicide Prevention Techniques, Kaitlyn R. O’Malley

Honors Capstones

The purpose of this paper is to understand prevention techniques for adolescent suicide. Suicide is defined as death caused by injuring oneself with the intent to die. Suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15–29-year-olds (WHO). From 2021 to 2022, the number of suiciderelated deaths increased by 2.6%. 48,123 people died from suicide in 2021 alone. (CDC) From 2011-2021, 13% of high school girls tried to commit suicide, and 30% of them considered trying (Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Summary and Trends Report: 2011–2021). Suicide is very preventable in society, which is why, with how many people try …

Msw Portfolio, Andrea E. Anderson

Graduate Student Portfolios, Professional Papers, and Capstone Projects

The portfolio narrative includes a brief introduction to my academic journey including field related work. The ten social work competencies are used as a guide while I reflect on the required appendices, theoretical frameworks and orientation to practice throughout the narrative.

Barriers To Help-Seeking Behaviors And Interventions For Adolescents With Co-Occurring Disorders, Hannah A. Fisher

Counselor Education Capstones

Adolescent mental health problems have become an extremely prevalent topic for discussion since the coronavirus pandemic. Adolescents experience five major barriers to obtaining mental health professional services including stigma, access to services, mental health professional mistrust, adolescent lack of mental health knowledge, and lack of support. These barriers create obstacles for adolescents seeking proper, affordable, high-quality, and culturally specific mental health care for their mental health needs. There are many different approaches to take to combat the identified barriers. Four different types of approaches are important to consider including what youth can do, what the family of the youth can …

Improving Outcomes Of Patients Being Seen In The Emergency Room For Mental Health Crisis, Kimberly Hudson

Doctoral Projects

Mental health is a significant problem, especially in males aged 20 to 50 years old (Omary, 2019). Lack of a primary mental health care provider, lack of proper treatment and follow up appointments for this population, and bottlenecking patients in the emergency room are all factors that contribute to the problem. As a result, these patients experience negative outcomes such as not receiving proper care and/or causing harm to themselves or others. In this doctoral project we will explore the option of patients having better outcomes if seen immediately by a psychiatric health care provider.

Having psychiatric healthcare providers in …

Parenting With Grace, Eva Nelson Cole

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

Parents are often caught off guard by the upheaval of adding children to their lives. Feelings of guilt, shame, isolation, and depression can arise when parents are faced with the demands and stressors that come along with having children. Studies have shown that children who have distressed parents endure lasting negative outcomes that can extend into the primary school years (Mihelic et al., 2018). Educating parents and giving them some awareness about what to expect can make a real difference. To have these conversations, I created a two-part parenting workshop for new parents at Parents’ Place in Pacific Grove, CA. …

Understanding And Mitigating The Potential Effects Of Postpartum Depression On Fathers And Male Support Persons, Rachel Norton-Turk

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Background. During the postpartum period, best practices dictate that medical professionals screen new mothers or birthing persons for anxiety and depression and direct them to the appropriate resources and services they may need. This qualitative study explored the steps being taken to identify depression and anxiety concerns in male support partners during the postpartum period and to understand what resources are being brought to their attention if depression and anxiety are identified. Methods. A convenience sample of male support persons participated in semi-structured, one-on-one interviews either in-person or over Zoom between September and October 2024. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, …

Evaluating Trauma-Informed Design In A Mental Health Setting: A Community-Based Research Case Study, Marie Spence

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study utilized a community-based research framework to explore how the Trauma-Informed Design framework can be implemented in a mental health setting. This study focused on the site of Empower Therapy Practice, a private mental health practice in the Denver Metro Area, to engage clients and staff to participate in advisory boards and inform the interior design of a new office space. To explore the application of Trauma-Informed Design, participants engaged in a variety of research activities, including an evaluative questionnaire, Photovoice, and focus group. Advisory board members identified various aspects of Trauma-Informed Design which meaningfully translate to therapeutic …

Navigating Crisis: The Intersection Of Politics, Culture, And Suicide In South Korea And Japan, Natasha A. Burke

Honors College Theses

Suicide is an important global issue, and there need to be measures put in place to help prevent such a problem. Existing literature finds that culture and politics do significantly impact suicide rates. I assess how the perceptions of suicide differ from culture to culture and how culture plays a role in the rates of suicide and reasons for it. I also examine at how socioeconomic status, unemployment, and economics affect people as well. In this study, I research how politics and culture affect suicide rates in Asia, specifically how politics and culture influence suicide rates in South Korea and …

The Farmer Stress Production Meeting Model: Acceptability And Feasibility Of An Intervention, Anna Scheyett, Andrea Scarrow, Jennifer Dunn, Stephanie Hollifield, Justin Shealey, Brian Hayes

Journal of Extension

Farmers experience high stress levels, but are often reluctant to participate in mental health-specific programming. We tested providing stress supports to farmers by embedding information and resources within existing Extension production meetings. During meetings, farmers were offered blood pressure screenings where providers would also discuss stress; were offered an information packet on stress and health, and listened to a brief talk from a therapist with local roots. Farmers accepted screenings and resources, and several later contacted the therapist. Extension agents, initially cautious about addressing the topic of farmer stress, expressed greater confidence in talking about the issue after these meetings.

Impact Of Adverse Childhood Experiences On Academic, Behavioral, And Emotional, Success Of Elementary School Children, Marsha Wallace

Student Theses and Dissertations

Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) are prevalent among all demographic characteristics, however, higher rates of adversities occur in vulnerable populations such as females, children, young adults, minorities, and multiracial individuals. This exploratory qualitative study aimed (a) to investigate the impact adverse childhood experiences have on diagnoses such as ADHD, ED, or ODD and (b) to explore the effects of ACEs on elementary school-aged children. The frameworks guiding this study were Bronfenbrenner’s Bioecological Human Development, which focuses on environmental factors, and Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, which concentrates on the required satisfaction of needs. Fifteen parents of 5 to 10-year-old children in a …

The Association Of Migration-Related Stress With Poor Mental Health Among Recently Resettled Afghan Refugees, Munjireen Sifat, Sarah Kenney, Venera Bekteshi, Shawn Chiang, Motolani Ogunsanya, Laili Boozary, Adam Alexander, Darla Kendzor

Department of Medical Oncology Faculty Papers

BACKGROUND: The resettlement of Afghan refugees in Oklahoma City, OK, provides a critical context for examining the mental health challenges faced by this population due to post-migration stressors.

METHODS: This study utilized online surveys to recently resettled Afghan refugees in Oklahoma City, with support provided by bilingual research assistants to accommodate low literacy rates. Surveys, initially in English, were professionally translated into Dari and Pashto and validated through back-translation.

RESULTS: Participants (N = 348) were majority of Pashtun ethnicity. High rates of mental health issues were evident, with 62.1 % of participants screening positive for depression and 20.1 % …

A Veteran Mental Health Approach Sustaining Identity Post-Military Life: A Comprehensive Overview, Darren Sosa, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

Veterans and their mental health face readjustment challenges based on veteran identity, intersectionality, and experiences from their time serving in the military. This comprehensive overview and PRISMA analysis investigate the current evidence-based practices of veterans' identity and intersectionality. Specifically, psychoeducation and evidence-based practices for veterans readjusting back into their communities. A gap identified in this research’s findings calls for suggestions for future research on the veteran population and intersectionality. No specific psychoeducation or evidence-based practices tailored for identity readjustment or veteran intersectionality were found. This research constructs a tailored framework of suggestions for current and future evidence-based practices for the …

Identifying The Benefits Of Black Owned Barbershops In The African American Community, Tanya Elizabeth Greene

Doctoral Dissertations and Projects

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to investigate why African American men are less likely to seek mental health support in conventional settings. Black-owned barbershops are a substantial presence in the Black community as they offer a dual purpose. Barbershops not only create a sense of male confidence internally and externally but offer an unorthodox way of healing. Insight into the perceptions, attitudes, and insights were gathered to acquire helpful information to contribute to more positive outcomes for African American men in mental health. Semi-structured interviews provided data to find common themes among 10 African American male participants to …

Women Serving In Special Operation Forces: Practical Recommendations For Mental Health Providers, Kashvi Khanna, Jessica Salaz, Nicholas Boyd, Alexandra Reeves, Kaethe Hoehling

School of Leadership and Education Sciences: Faculty Scholarship

Women have faced limited access to needed and appropriate services in many professional and societal conditions. Military Special Operations Forces (SOF) is one of these domains. However, despite recent changes that have allowed the inclusion of women into these units, they continue to endure cultural and systemic barriers as well as several subsequent mental and physical health issues. Experiences of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, nonacceptance, and the unique demands of SOF roles can create various health concerns for women in SOF, including PTSD, depression, trauma, and reproductive health issues. These significant concerns highlight the need for clinical and practical recommendations …

Occupational Therapy In Psychiatry: A Safe, Affordable Approach For Better Care, Isabelle G. Cassada

Honors Theses

Occupational therapy (OT) is a therapeutic practice designed to enhance independence in individuals’ activities of daily living (ADL) across all age groups. While widely recognized for its role in physical rehabilitation, it is less commonly applied in mental health care. This underutilization can be attributed to a significant gap in the literature regarding the effectiveness of OT in improving occupational function (OF) for individuals experiencing the negative effects of mental illnesses. Notably, OT in mental health care is not a new concept and dates to before World War I (WWI). This thesis conducts a literature review of fifty-one sources to …

Supporting African Communities To Increase Resilience And Mental Health Of Kids With Developmental Disabilities And Their Caregivers Using The World Health Organization’S Caregiver Skills Training Programme (Spark Trial): Study Protocol For A Cluster Randomised Clinical Controlled Trial, Melissa Nortey, Vibian Angweny, Beatrice Mkubwa, Rosa Hoekstra, Andrew Healey, Rahel Birhane, Nadine Seward, Temesgen Azmeraw, Fikite Girma

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Most children with developmental disabilities (DD) live in low- and middle-income countries, but access to services is limited, impacting their ability to thrive. Pilot study findings of the World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training (WHO CST) intervention, which equips caregivers with strategies to facilitate learning and adaptive behaviours in children with DD, are promising but evidence from an appropriately powered trial delivered by non-specialist facilitators is lacking. This study will investigate the effectiveness and the resource impacts and costs and consequences of the WHO CST intervention in four sites in rural and urban Kenya and Ethiopia.

Methods: …

Case Study In Deaf Mental Health Care: Integration Of Therapeutic Attunement And Skills-Training, Julia Ball, Lindsey Sankin

JADARA

Deaf Mental Health Care (DMHC) is a specialty involving clinical expertise and self-awareness in therapeutic work with D/deaf people.1 Within the DMHC framework, this case report describes the psychotherapy of one Deaf individual, whose developmental experiences are common among D/deaf people. It illustrates how clinical models developed with hearing people informed the clinical team working with this Deaf individual. The treatment integrated focused skill-building with reparative emotional and linguistic “attunement.” In addition, the case illustrates how clinicians and their clients can use the intersections of their different languages and cultures as growth opportunities.

Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Trinidad: An Analysis Of Depression, Anxiety, And Stress Among Essential Workers, Bernadette Marson, Gerard A. Hutchinson

Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences

Research shows that some essential workers, such as healthcare workers, social workers, and first responders (including police officers, paramedics, and firefighters), are at greater risk for developing both short- and long-term mental health problems (Berger et al., 2012; Canady, 2022; Grey et al., 2020; Haugen et al., 2012; Mohamed et al., 2022; Petrie et al., 2018). The most prevalent of these include anxiety, depression, and stress, as well as other social and cognitive problems—with stress causing harmful effects on mental health and potentially resulting in anxiety and depression, which may then disrupt an individual’s social relationships, family life, and work. …

Considerations Of Medicare Telehealth Services With Older Adults, Sonah Kho, Amanda Dediego

Adultspan Journal

The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic set in motion a rapid expansion of mental health services offered via telehealth. With this rapid expansion came the need to examine how policy and practice should be shaped in a future where telehealth is considered common in counseling practice. For counselors to understand how to support older adult clients in using telehealth services, they must understand telehealth policy. Following the eligibility of licensed counselors to participate in Medicare, counselors need to stay abreast of regulatory changes regarding restrictions and regulations on use of telehealth for mental and behavioral health services, including video and …

Developments In School Counselling Practice In Vietnam, Michael Hass, Hoang-Minh Dang

Education Faculty Books and Book Chapters

This chapter will examine the development and status of school counselling in Vietnam. As part of that, we will discuss research on Vietnamese school children’s mental health and academic needs, the history of the development of school counselling and related professions in Vietnam, and the process of creating formal educational programs in school counselling. Lastly, we will discuss school counsellors’ distinct roles in Vietnam and how they relate to various stakeholders, including children, teachers, administrators, and parents. In addition, we will discuss a survey of practicing school counsellors (Hoang-Minh & Hass, 2023b) and interviews of program directors of university training …

Emotional Experiences Of Mental Health First Aid Trainees: A Qualitative Study, Alexander E. Chan, Emma T. Kniola, Raya Francis

Journal of Human Sciences and Extension

Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is a program that helps participants identify, understand, and respond to mental health and substance use disorders. Research studies focusing on the emotional experiences of MHFA participants are lacking. Studying these experiences can help improve the training process for MHFA learners. This paper aims to identify participants’ motivations for signing up for MHFA and investigate their emotional experiences when applying MHFA knowledge in real-world settings. This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews. Participants (n = 20) completed 30-minute interviews. Thematic analysis was used to identify themes related to the motivators and feelings of participants when applying …

Examining The Dual Nature Of Post-Mission Mental Health: An Analysis Of Mental Health Symptoms And Positive Well-Being Among Returned Missionaries Of The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints, Blaise Dobson

Undergraduate Honors Theses

This study explores mental health and general well-being amongst returned missionaries who served and completed full-time proselyting missions for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Through a combination of survey data and semi-structured interviews with 15 participants, the research investigated emotional, physical, spiritual, and mental changes experienced during their missions, and how those experiences affected them post-mission. Findings show that majority of participants viewed their mission as a positive experience overall, with few reporting on negative experiences. Very few studies have explored returned missionaries and their mental health; not touching on the specific population of missionaries who finish …

First-Year Experiences Of Lgbtq+ Students: Belongingness, Resilience, And Utilization Of Resources On Campus, Sarina Sauceda

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Entering college brings independence; however, it also presents new challenges. Navigating young adulthood, with academic/social pressures, makes the first-year increasingly difficult (Alessi et al., 2017). LGBTQ+ students are at heightened risk of negative mental health outcomes (e.g., increased depression/anxiety levels; Alessi et al., 2017; Thacker Darrow et al., 2022). For LGBTQ+ students, the first-year of college poses additional issues, such as discrimination or lack of belonging (Thacker Darrow et al., 2022; Hood et al., 2018). Overall, there is little research of this population, and less is known about specifically the first-year. It is important to understand those experiences, so that …

Beliefs And Attitudes Regarding Schizophrenia Among Msw Students: An Exploratory Study, Nicole Dunlap

Electronic Theses, Projects, and Dissertations

Schizophrenia remains one of the most complex and stigmatized mental health conditions, impacting not only societal views but also the attitudes of healthcare professionals, including social workers. This study explores the beliefs and attitudes of Master of Social Work (MSW) students towards schizophrenia, identifying the factors that contribute to these perceptions and their potential impact on future professional practices. Using a mixed-method approach, the study surveyed MSW students from a California State University to assess their knowledge, stigma, and experiences related to schizophrenia. Quantitative data analysis revealed gaps in knowledge and persistent stigma among students, while qualitative responses highlighted the …

A Mixed Methods Exploration Of Young Women's Agency And Mental Health During Covid-19 In Low-Income Communities In Mumbai, India, Marie A Brault, Melissa F Peskin, Anastasia N Jones, Amrita Saikia, Rinchen O Bhutia, Sai Sammitha Cheruvu, Vaishali M Jagtap, Rajendra Singh, Poornima Nair, Rajesh Vedanthan, Sten H Vermund, Shubhada Maitra

Faculty, Staff and Student Publications

Introduction: Adolescent girls and young women (AGYW) in India face additional health inequities compared to their male peers, as gender norms constrain agency for prevention and self-care. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdowns deepened health inequities and often worsened mental health, but the impacts on agency are unclear. This exploratory sequential mixed methods paper examined mental health and COVID-19 elements that exacerbated or mitigated adverse consequences for AGYW in low-income communities in Mumbai.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with AGYW (aged 15-25 years; N = 60) and adults (parents, healthcare providers, community-based organization representative; N = 30). …

The College Campus, A Place Of Learning, And A Place Of Healing, Huma Bashir, Joshua Francis

Human Services Faculty Publications

The COVID-19 pandemic and its aftermath have precipitated a marked increase in mental health needs among college students. Lockdowns, the sudden shift to remote learning, and social distancing mandates have compounded existing challenges, highlighting a trend that has evolved over the past two decades. Despite heightened demand for mental health support, colleges struggle to meet these needs amid the emotional aftermath of COVID-19 effectively. Recognizing the pivotal role of higher education institutions in shaping future leaders and addressing and enhancing the mental well-being of the college community is imperative to foster an environment conducive to learning and healing. This paper …

Reducing Stress And Improving Mindfulness Practices Among Mental Health Professionals Through Guided Meditation., Liara G. Patton

Doctor of Nursing Practice Papers

Abstract

Background: Chronic exposure to psychological stress places mental health providers in a vulnerable position when coping skills are not learned or available. Mental health providers are at risk for both mental and physical illness due to the empathetic demands of their client’s stressors. The deficit in adequate coping skills can cause provider-client relationships to suffer and create an undesirable work environment.

Setting: This project took place in Somerset, KY, at a mental health company called A New Beginnings Achievement Center (ANBAC). Twenty-six employees work at ANBAC, all of whom are involved in providing mental health services to developmentally delayed …

Creating, Connecting, And Communicating: A Look At Social Support For Postpartum Women, Aubrey E. Jones Phd, Diana Frankenburger Msn, Bsw, Rnc-Ob, Cce, Cls

Transforming Communities

The prevalence of postpartum depression underscores the critical need for support systems for new mothers. Virtual support groups, such as the Fourth Trimester Support Group described in this paper, represent a promising avenue for addressing these challenges and providing much-needed support. This article describes the formation, activities, and evaluation of an online support group that leverages technology to foster a sense of community for new mothers. Further, the details within the case study provide a basic model for starting a similar support group.

Stepping Outside Of Their Comfort Zone: Perceptions Of Seeking Behavioral Health Services Amongst College Athletes, Matt Moore

Journal of Issues in Intercollegiate Athletics

Research has indicated that college athletes are at risk for a number of mental health problems—including depression, substance abuse, alcohol abuse, and disordered eating. An athlete’s willingness to seek out mental health services however is not fully understood. This study examined the level of comfort that college athletes have with seeking mental health services. Additionally, this study explored characteristics associated with reluctance in seeking mental health services. This study used a web-based survey to gather information from college athletes (N = 349). The researcher used descriptive and multivariate tests to analyze the data. This study found that college athletes reported …

Challenges And Implications For Substance Use And Mental Healthcare Among Under-Resourced Women In The Covid-19 Era, Maria C Mejia, Alicia Kowalchuk, Sandra J Gonzalez, Muktha Nair, Lisa Webb, Nadine Scamp

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated disparities in mental healthcare and substance use disorder (SUD) treatment access, especially in under-resourced communities. This study aimed to comprehend the experiences of under-resourced women with SUD during the pandemic, their knowledge and attitudes toward it, and its impact on substance use and treatment access.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study included 66 under-resourced women receiving medically managed withdrawal treatment at a community residential SUD center. Data collection occurred between November 2021 and August 2022, utilizing a 75-item instrument covering COVID-19 exposure and its impact on health, substance use, treatment access, vaccination status, beliefs, and knowledge. Descriptive …