Project Type(s):
Implementation Science
- Alexandra Rose
The gap between the number of people needing and accessing mental health care has led to the development of new types of mental health providers to help expand access to care. These providers, referred to as paraprofessionals, have typically at most a bachelor’s degree and treat mild and moderate depression and anxiety. However, because the novelty of these roles in the Unites States, little is known about organizational and employee barriers to uptake and implementation. Further, little is known about US patient perspectives on having a paraprofessional mental health provider. The proposed research explores behavioral health employer, behavioral health employee, and patient perspectives on two new paraprofessional roles being deployed in Washington State – the mental health Community Health Worker and the Behavioral Health Support Specialist – to help identify key barriers and facilitators to implementation of these roles.
Project Period:
September 1, 2024 — August 31, 2025
Funding Type(s):
State/UW
Clinician Scientist Training Program
Geographic Area(s):
Washington
Practice Type(s):
Community Mental Health/Health Center/Faith Health Center, Primary Care
Patient Population(s):
Adults, Caregivers/Providers
Targeted Condition(s):
Anxiety, Depression
