This study evaluates the effectiveness of a multisector task-sharing collaborative in addressing the inter-related problems of mental health disorders, poverty, and housing instability among racial and ethnic minority communities residing in Harlem, New York. The collaborative trains the staff at low-income housing agencies and primary care practices to engage in mental health task-sharing, whereby staff deliver basic mental health support services such as screening, psychoeducation, peer support, and referral to mental health specialists. Community health workers are placed at these same sites to help connect clients with needed social services beyond housing and primary care. A randomized controlled trial is used to evaluate the impact of the task-sharing model on mental health, social functioning, employment, and quality of life. The study is conducted by the Harlem Strong Mental Health Coalition, led by the City University of New York (CUNY) in partnership with the Harlem Congregation for Community Improvement, Healthfirst Managed Care, and Coordinated Behavioral Care.

Presenters

• Victoria Ngo, MS, PhD | Associate Professor of Community Health and Social Sciences, Director of the Center for Innovation in Mental Health, and Mental Health Director of the Center for Immigrant, Refugee and Global Health at the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy (CUNY SPH)

• Malcolm A. Punter, EdD, MBA  | Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI)

• Deborah Levine, MSW, LCSW | Harlem Health Initiative (HHI)

• Susan Beane, MD | Healthfirst, Inc. (commentator)

To download the presentation slides, click here.

Recording

Details:

Project: Multisector Task-Sharing to Improve Mental Health in Harlem, NY
Resources: Download Slides