Saturday, July 19, 2014

CityU presents research on the impacts of budget cuts on consumers of community mental health - Digital Journal

Dr. Ellen Carruth, a professor at City University of Seattle, led a research team of Master of Arts in Counseling students as they explored the impacts of state budget cuts on consumers of community mental health in Washington State's largest county – King County. Rather than focusing their analysis on clients, the team concentrated on service providers and clinicians who serve vulnerable populations needing treatment for mental illness and/or substance abuse; and specifically wanted to know how these clinicians' clients were and continue to be affected by budget cuts. The research included in-depth interviews and focus groups with clinicians in private and public sectors. One of the most significant data points was around the correlation between availability of services and state budget cuts. The data showed that cutting services primarily impacted the most vulnerable members of Washington State's communities; and therefore, increased existing disparities in both socioeconomic status and access to critical resources. http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/2045452