United Mental Health Promoter (UMHP) Services

Mental health

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

The project is dedicated to serving the diverse communities of the San Gabriel Valley in LA County with a particular emphasis on seniors over 65, especially those who are vulnerable and face challenges due to limited English proficiency. The older Asian immigrant population in the SGV experience increased rates of mental illness because of the impact of COVID-19, the model minority myth, language barriers, and anti-Asian hate crimes. Immigrants experience increased social isolation due to urban sprawl, transportation barriers, and changing social dynamics, leading to adverse health outcomes and reduced quality of life. It will address economic downturns or changes in financial assistance programs, which may impact the affordability of basic needs such as housing, food, and healthcare. Referral and linkage services will address existing disparities in healthcare access and affordability for seniors, often affected by reductions in funding and changes in healthcare policies.

The UMHP Services will destigmatize and normalize mental health care in older adults living in the San Gabriel Valley through prevention services. This includes outreach and engagement; community capacity and supports; referral and linkage; and client support services. With the use of public awareness campaigns, the program will address stigma surrounding mental health issues among immigrant populations. Investing in language access initiatives, such as language interpretation services and multilingual outreach materials, can improve communication and access to services for seniors with limited English proficiency. This includes developing and expanding culturally tailored services to address the unique needs of diverse senior populations in the San Gabriel Valley. Engaging seniors in community activities, volunteer opportunities, and intergenerational programs can foster a sense of belonging, social connection, and purpose. Community engagement efforts will also involve education and training for caregivers, community leaders, and healthcare professionals on recognizing and addressing mental health concerns in older adults. AYC will link community members to ongoing needed supports and services, including, but not limited to mental health, health, housing, food, clothing, essential needs and employment. AYC will partner with CBOs and other groups in the community that provide supportive services for older adults, creating greater access to community services.

This new project will expand AYC services while building on practices that have worked historically for other educational programs targeted to the senior immigrant communities. It addresses the significant need for mental health services in the SGV that has only been amplified by COVID-19 and ongoing anti-Asian hate incidents. The project is a community outreach and empowerment effort, which strengthens communities and creates career paths for community members. The UMHP are crucial to build the bridge between the communities they serve and the County opportunities to fight against racism and promote diversity and inclusion. The team will engage with residents, organizations, and community stakeholders to develop activities and evaluation efforts aligned with the community’s values and needs and support place-based community partnerships. Our goal is to break the stigma of mental illness in immigrant seniors and promote healthy behaviors to prevent mental illness in future generations.

AYC will measure the effectiveness and overall impact of our UMHP programming and services by continuing evaluation processes such as collecting pre-and post-testing, client satisfaction surveys, and observation and documentation of behavioral changes in clients. Program staff will collect feedback and data at outreach events, trainings, and workshops which include demographic information and utilization of given resources and services. Data from pre- and post-testing show the increase in knowledge, skills, and changes in attitudes in community members who receive services and participate in the appropriate trainings and workshops. We will define successful programming as increases in mental health knowledge, positive attitudes toward mental health education, increases in positive health behaviors, and better awareness of available community resources.