Poster 87 - Assessing Community Awareness, Satisfaction and Needs in Mental Health and Crisis Services
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
1:15 PM - 1:45 PM MDT
Location: Screen 3, Exhibit Hall Poster Pavilion
By investigating perceptions of mental health services, communities can support local, relevant research and practice, as well as identify stress-induced behaviors. Using a case study of Houston residents, we assessed awareness, common stress factors, and satisfaction with mental health services. Most residents reported awareness of local mental health or crisis services (f = 268; 53.6%), but a concerning number were either unaware or unsure of how to access services (f = 232; 46.4%). Similarly, nearly 70% felt neutral or unsatisfied with available services, reporting a desire for more affordable services, increased accessibility to low-income areas, and reduced stigma.
Learning Objectives:
Attendees should reflect on Houston residents’ statements from this case study to determine potential perception challenges in their local areas, which should help communities improve outreach, communication, and marketing materials.
Conceptualize four mental health considerations—individual, family, community, and structural—respective to their local areas as outlined by the National Institute for Health and Care Research.
Attendees should feel compelled to lead evaluation studies with constituents to assess awareness, common stress factors, and satisfaction with mental health services to further improve access and availability of services.
