Improving mental health services for children in low-income urban areas
Patient Navigators for Children's Community Mental Health Services in High Poverty Urban Communities
This study is looking at how different types of helpers can make it easier for African American and Latinx families in low-income neighborhoods to get mental health care for their kids, so they can find the best support for their children's needs.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Illinois at Chicago NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Chicago, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11051152 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a model of mental health navigation specifically designed for African American and Latinx children living in high poverty urban communities. It aims to reduce barriers that parents face in accessing mental health care for their children. The study will compare the effectiveness of two types of navigators: community-based paraprofessionals and formally trained case managers. By understanding how these navigators can best support families, the research seeks to improve children's mental health services and reduce disparities in care.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are African American and Latinx children aged 0-11 years living in high poverty urban areas.
Not a fit: Patients outside the specified age range or those not living in high poverty urban communities may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved access to mental health services for children in underserved communities.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown that patient navigation can effectively reduce barriers to care in various health contexts, suggesting potential success for this approach in children's mental health.
Where this research is happening
Chicago, UNITED STATES
- University of Illinois at Chicago — Chicago, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Mehta, Tara — University of Illinois at Chicago
- Study coordinator: Mehta, Tara
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.