In the wake of a disaster, the resilience of a community depends significantly on its systems of support. These systems of support may include resources provided by formal government entities, non-profit organizations, private mental health service providers, and other grassroots efforts that exist at the community level.
NCDP conducted a multi-faceted asset mapping analysis of mental health services and resources available in the Baton Rouge area, with a particular focus on children. In order to better understand the capabilities, capacities, and challenges surrounding mental health services available to Baton Rouge residents, NCDP collected and analyzed various sources of data relating to mental health provision. In addition to publicly available data, NCDP administered surveys to mental health provider organizations and conducted key informant interviews with an array of mental health and psychosocial support practitioners and other experts to create a comprehensive understanding of the available resources and capacities within the greater Baton Rouge area. The study was funded by a grant from the Children’s Health Fund and the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation.
In collaboration with the Childrens Health Fund (CHF) and the W. and C.B. Pennigton Family Foundation, the NCDP team established the following research objectives outlined below:
Develop Community Profile of demographics, key industries, historical events, health disparities, and other relevant demographics.
Conduct a contextual analysis of historical, socio-cultural, and disaster experience factors utilizing a search of peer-reviewed and grey literature, triangulated with interview and discussion findings.
Develop a directory of community mental health and psychological support providers and resources.
Conduct key informant interviews and an organizational survey with community stakeholders working in the mental health and well-being space.
Provide detailed analysis of key findings as well as supplementary recommendations for strengthening mental health resources and access in the greater Baton Rouge area.
The research team conducted a comprehensive desk review of mental health and psychosocial support resources available in East Baton Rouge Parish and the greater Baton Rouge area, including publicly available socioeconomic and health data, organizational websites, licensing information, as well as historical disasters and events, government reports, newspaper article, and other peer-reviewed sources.
In addition to the desk review, the team created and distributed an organizational survey to mental health and psychosocial support providers located in East Baton Rouge Parish. The survey included questions surrounding the organization’s efforts and capacity to provide mental health resources, as well as the types of services offered, populations served, their surge capabilities, and their capacity to train others, among others. Survey responses were analyzed and integrated into the resource mapping, helping to inform supplementary key informant interviews.
Key Informant Interviews were also conducted with a number of organizations and entities working in the mental health and psychosocial space in Baton Rouge. These organizations were initially identified by a list of potential study participants provided by the Children’s Health Fund and the Irene W. and C.B. Pennington Foundation, and supplemented by research, referrals, and recommendations from interviewees. NCDP conducted the recruitment and carried out the interviews utilizing a semi-structured interview with guided questions. These interviews were recorded, transcribed, and coded for thematic analysis.
Lastly, the NCDP team summarized the findings of each component outlined above into a single document of key findings and recommendations, which seeks to inform the state of mental health resources available in East Baton Rouge Parish, and guide future funding allocations for the city.
