Focused Mental Health Research Strategy Essay

Subject: An Intervention Initiative to Promote Health for LGBTQ+ Community in Leon County

This memorandum is a proposal for a comprehensive health promotion intervention aimed at addressing mental and social health disparities experienced by the LGBTQ+ community within Leon County. The particular area of focus are the adverse effects of the COVID-19 pandemic with the intervention specifically aimed at improving the well-being of LGBTQ+ individuals, especially those living with HIV/AIDS and, equally important, to promote preventive healthcare measures. Focused Mental Health Research Strategy Essay

While the LGBTQ+ community is impacted by a handful of healthcare related challenges, the context of this review looks into the specific mental and social health disparities this demographic experiences. Primarily, the disparities this group faces in mental and social health were in many ways worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic. Explaining how this came about and why it has not been effectively addressed, Zahra wrote that the LGBTQ+ individuals reported higher rates of anxiety, depression, and isolation during this unique period and a huge majority confided that this was primarily due to the impact of the pandemic on their support networks, employment, and access to healthcare. Another research by Gorczynski and Fasoli (2020) concluded that persons living with HIV/AIDS within the LGBTQ+ community have over the years experienced significant mental health challenges largely due to the fact that they are at a relatively higher risk for severe illness if infected with COVID-19. Focused Mental Health Research Strategy Essay

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The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is aware of these challenges and disparities and has proposed a set of guidelines that could be used to mitigate these impacts. Following this, there are a few specific recommendations that I feel would be resourceful in addressing this issue. Drawing from this, I recommend following CDC guidelines for adult immunization noting the importance for the LGBTQ+ individuals to be educated about and encouraged to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Still on this, it is vital that underlying fears and misconceptions about vaccine safety among members of this community are first addressed and this would hopefully lead to regular immunizations for example flu shots and Hepatitis A/B vaccines. Commenting on this, Madireddy A and Madireddy B (2022) wrote that these immunizations are crucial for protecting the overall health of the LGBTQ+ individuals particularly those living with HIV/AIDS.

Guided by research gathered from a variety of sources, I must submit to you that in order to promote self-care empowerment among the LGBTQ+ community, it is crucial for us as professional healthcare providers to make use of digital technology. Delving on this, digital resources such as the use of mobile apps, websites, and telehealth services are resourceful in helping alleviate access to mental health resources, support groups, and information on preventive healthcare. What’s more, these tools help empower individuals to take charge of their health, improve self-efficacy, and connect with peers and professionals for guidance and support. Focused Mental Health Research Strategy Essay

Sincerely,

[Insert Your Name Here]

References

Gorczynski, P., & Fasoli, F. (2020). LGBTQ+ focused mental health research strategy in response to COVID-19. The Lancet Psychiatry, 7(8), e56. https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(20)30300-X

Madireddy, S., & Madireddy, S. (2022). Supportive model for the improvement of mental health and prevention of suicide among LGBTQ+ youth. International Journal of Adolescence and Youth, 27(1), 85-101. https://doi.org/10.1080/02673843.2022.2025872 Focused Mental Health Research Strategy Essay

Case Study Scenario
You are preparing for a health event organized for an LQBTQ+ community in Leon County. It was noted that the recent COVID-19 pandemic had left a significant adverse mental and social health impact on this community. A more profound adverse mental impact has been reported among LGBTQ+ individuals living with HIV/AIDs due to COVID-19. A significant number also reported that they have not received the COVID-19 vaccination due to fear of contracting the virus from the vaccine.

Prompt
You have been asked to address the health promotion needs of this community. Begin by addressing the following:

Create a memo for County Health Commissioner in which you propose an approach for implementing a health promotion intervention to benefit the LGBTQ+ community in Leon County in the specific healthcare needs identified. Be sure to address:

The unique mental health and social health disparities impacting the LGBTQ+ individuals/communities locally and nationally. How has the COVID-19 pandemic made the disparities and adversities worse?
Referencing CDC guidelines, what adult immunization recommendations and preventive health would you propose and why? Focused Mental Health Research Strategy Essay
Explain the application of strategies that would promote self-care empowerment of the LGBTQ+ individuals/community and include the role of digital technology.

Prepare a thorough response for each question for your initial post in the discussion forum for Module One. Following your initial post, you must create at least two response posts to your peers.

Initial Posting:

Your initial posting should be at least 500 words in length and utilize at least three scholarly sources other than the textbook.
Complete your initial post by Wednesday at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Standard Time.
Consider content from other parts of the course where appropriate. Use APA citation methods for referencing.

https://health.gov/healthypeople/objectives-and-data/browse-objectives/lgbt

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5478215/

https://academic.oup.com/edited-volume/28138/chapter-abstract/212900244?redirectedFrom=fulltext Focused Mental Health Research Strategy Essay