Bridging the gap: A pilot study of a lay health worker model to decrease child mental health stigma and promote parents’ professional help-seeking for Black/African American children.

Authors: Ayanda Chakawa

This study describes the Bridging the Gap pilot program, which sought to address mental health stigma in Black and African American communities. Sixty-five parents and caregivers of children aged 5 to 12 were recruited in the southeastern United States. Participating caregivers underwent a pre-test survey, educational workshop implemented by lay health workers, and post-test survey. Following the study period, researchers found that mental health stigma decreased in the study group. In addition, of the 65 caregivers surveyed, 13 were identified as having children with a clinically significant mental health need. At one month follow-up, five of the caregivers, or 38 percent, reported to have sought mental health services for their child. This study suggests that a lay-health worker-led model may be successful in addressing mental health stigma among U.S. minority communities.