<p>The purpose of this psychoeducational curriculum is for Latino caregivers to enhance their awareness in the Mental Health field, as advocate for their family members. Educating caregivers on how to access services, and overcome stigma, language barriers, and cultural insensitivity also to enhance quality services. The curriculum specifically addresses outreach. The curriculum will expand caregivers? understanding the symptoms of mental illness including diagnosis, and the importance of self-care to prevent burnout. It will include activities that will promote group discussions, and concepts for learning enhancement. Additionally, handouts will be provided with resources for support services for caregivers. A facilitators? guide is also included to assist with the implementation of the curriculum.

<p> The purpose of this project was to locate a potential funding source and write a grant to support funding for the Emergency Response Team (ERT) program. The ERT will use solution-based practices within the Mendocino County Health and Human Services Agency to support family stabilization. An ERT would enable children and families to access multidisciplinary team services, including mental health and alcohol/drug services, immediately after a referral to Child Protective Services. This approach will allow families to address their needs for stabilization and ensure streamlined support, thus reducing the potential for children to be removed from the home or shorten the duration of the removal. Ultimately, this approach will ensure families access to appropriate levels of mental health and alcohol or drug service supports to enhance the well being of children, families, and the community. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not a requirement for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> This study was designed to explore how the experience of past parental alienation and current estrangement from adult child(ren) affected aging alienated parents particularly in the domains of depression and life satisfaction. This study also explored the link between past parental alienation and late-life estrangement from adult child(ren). The sample of 65 participants responded to an online survey after responding to a recruitment flyer posted on Craig's List. </p><p> The results showed mild to moderate levels of depression and moderate dissatisfaction with life among the study participants. Higher levels of parental alienation were significantly associated with higher levels of depression and greater dissatisfaction with life. Participants also overwhelmingly reported that past parental alienation had contributed to their current estrangement from their adult child(ren). </p><p> Further research is needed on the impact of parental alienation on the well-being of aging parents.</p>

<p> Since age has been identified as a leading risk factor for the development of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRD) and as the U.S. population ages, ADRD has become a community concern. Latinos face greater risk due to systemic psychosocial stressors such as limited community-based supportive services, lack of trained bilingual health care professionals, and low quality of treatment and preventative care. The purpose of this project was to develop a dementia program targeting the underserved Latino community of Orange County, California, identify potential funding sources, and develop a grant proposal on behalf of the Orange County Vital Brain Aging Program at Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian. The proposed program will increase awareness on ADRD while decreasing barriers in health care utilization through community-based education and psychosocial and cognitive assessments. The actual submission and/or funding of this grant were not requirements for the successful completion of this project.</p>

<p> Citizenship/immigration status, high poverty rates and gender specific issues, present a significant problem, when addressing the mental health needs of Latino adolescents. This study utilized data from the 2009 California Health Interview Survey (CHIS). The independent variables for the study were citizenship/immigration status, socioeconomic status, and gender. The dependent variable was mental health. To examine the relationship between the independent and dependent variables, a frequency and regression analysis was performed. The results of the study indicate that citizenship/immigration status and gender are significant predictors of mental health among Latino adolescents. The results of the study suggest that social workers, community leaders, community members, and mental health providers, should explore selecting effective interventions with optimal outcomes for the mental health of this population.</p>

<p>The purpose of this project was to create a program, locate a potential funding source, and fill out a grant application to acquire funding for a physical activity program for clients at Mariposa Women and Family Center who are currently being treated for diagnoses of depression and anxiety. A literature review was conducted to increase the knowledge of the intersection between physical activity and mental well-being, as well as the specific types of physical interventions that are the most effective. During a comprehensive search on the Internet, the California Wellness Foundation was discovered to be the best funding source for the proposed program. A grant application was filled out in order to potentially gain funding to support a physical activity program at Mariposa Women and Family Center in Orange County, California. The actual submission and/or funding was not required for the successful completion of this project. </p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to examine various social and ecological factors that affect adolescents' nervousness and/or depression. Secondary data from the 2011- 2012 California Health Institute Survey were used to examine these factors. Chi-Square analyses were utilized to test if relationships existed between the variables in the data. This study examined race, poverty level, immigration status, physical well-being, safety of environment, and the receipt of psychological/emotional counseling as factors for influencing feelings of nervousness and/or depression among adolescents. Results indicated that adolescents feeling nervous were affected by race, poverty level, environmental safety, and the receipt of psychological/emotional counseling. Feeling nervous did not have a significant association with physical well-being in this study. Furthermore, adolescent depression was affected by race, poverty level, physical well-being, environmental safety, and the receipt of psychological/emotional counseling. Immigration status was not found to be associated with affecting adolescent nervousness or depression. Further research is suggested.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to examine the demographic differences in methamphetamine usage among youth and how methamphetamine users engaged in the use of other illegal drugs including, marijuana, cocaine, heroin, ecstasy and also engage in risk taking behaviors. The study utilized secondary data from the National Institute of Health, Youth Behavioral Risk Survey (YRBS) of20011. Sample size consisted of 294 both male and female youth who are methamphetamine users. The findings revealed that drug use amongst youth continues to be on the rise. Findings noted that male meth users had the highest rates of cocaine, ecstasy and heroin use compared to female meth users. The highest rate among female meth users was seen in cocaine use. Findings also revealed that cocaine use was the highest among Hispanic/Latino meth users and ecstasy use was the highest among Non-Hispanic/Latino meth users. In addition findings revealed that a significant association was found in youth's drug use and their involvement in risk taking behaviors. Prior research and findings from this study help society have a more proactive approach when helping youth who suffer from the disease of addiction.</p>

<p> The purpose of the current study was to address the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) status and psychological distress within the adolescent population. Data was acquired from the California Health Interview Survey (CHIS) 2011-2012, a state-wide phone survey which addresses health issues among the resident population. The present study used data from 2,1 04 California adolescents, utilizing variables relating to demographics, general health condition, and mental health.</p><p> Results indicated a statistically significant relationship between BMI and psychological distress, with overweight adolescents experiencing more distress and depression than their underweight/healthy weight counterparts. Gender and perceived general health condition were both significantly related to distress, with females and those of poor perceived general health condition experiencing greater psychological distress, regardless of weight status. This study has implications for social work policy and practice, especially in work with youth and families.</p>

<p> The purpose of this study was to explore the association between adolescent characteristics, community factors and mental health. This was achieved by completing a quantitative study analyzing secondary data obtained from a mental health agency in Orange County, California, and an online database, City-Data.com. The results rendered a statistically significant relationship between age and those who had the presenting problem of depression, relational problems, and poor coping. A statistically significant relationship between females and poor coping was also revealed. The most interesting finding, however, was the statistically significant relationship between presenting problems in relation to their community factors. Both poverty levels and educational attainment less than high school among the residents in the communities where these adolescents live were associated with depression and relational problems. The findings of this study are beneficial in identifyirig the need for further research regarding the relationship between educational attainment and mental health.</p>