Making a Difference: Creating New Gateways to Mental Health and Wellness

Participants were invited to voluntarily participate in one of three focus groups which were held in the Near East Side community. The focus groups were facilitated by a person who has cultural awareness and competence in the African American community and a psychiatric/mental health clinical nurse specialist. Participants completed an informed consent form and a demographic questionnaire. During the group, the co-facilitators asked a series of questions. The responses were audiotape recorded. However, the participants' names were not connected to their voices or to their demographic questionnaire. In addition, all participants were told that what was said in the focus group was private and were encouraged not to talk about what is said in the group outside of the group. Each focus group lasted one hour. Light refreshments were available. Participants who needed help with transportation were provided a COTA bus ticket. At the end of the group, each participant received a $30 gift card for participating in the group. The co-facilitators provided written information to participants about stress and community resources for participants who desired more information. Participants who attended the focus group may have experienced some feelings when they spoke about stress or traumatic life events or when they heard others speak. These feelings may have included sadness, anger or other emotions. No one was forced to speak; participants may have elected to not answer a question or to be silent during the group if they wished. The co-facilitators were available to participants at the end of the focus group to provide information or referrals if the participant desired more information or services to cope with stress.AUTHOR AFFILIATION: Elizabeth Fitzgerald, Associate Professor of Clinical Nursing, College of Nursing, fitzgerald.118@osu.edu (Corresponding Author); Morgan Ciehanski, BSN Honors Student, The Ohio State University; Caroline Buck, BSN Honors Student, The Ohio State University; Barbara Warren, Professor of Clinical Nursing, The Ohio State University.This poster will display the results of a qualitative research study on stress to help identify the resources, services and sources of support that members of the Near East Side community prefer and desire. In all, 28 African-American adults participated in focus groups. Audiotaped recordings of the focus groups were transcribed, and themes emerged from the data. The themes of toxic stress and communal discipline will be discussed. The importance of collaboration between academic institutions and community partners through a steadfast presence in the community will be highlighted