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City of Newburyport Holding Focus Groups for Mental Health Needs Assessment 

Posted on: October 19, 2023 - 1:55pm
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As a part of Mayor Sean Reardon’s Mental Health Task Force, the City is conducting a mental health needs assessment and is asking for community participation in focus groups. This Task Force aims to respond to the increase in the number of individuals struggling with their mental health and looking for access to services, which was further exacerbated by COVID-19. It has contracted the Institute for Community Health (ICH) to conduct a series of focus groups, specifically for those whose voices may not always be heard. The goal is that this information can be used to make health care and community resources more accessible and fairer for everyone. 

The six groups the City are looking to hear from are as follows:

  • Seniors (people age 65 and older)
  • LGBTQ+ (people age 18 and older who identify as LGBTQ+)
  • Caregivers of youth (parents, grandparents, guardians or caregivers who are responsible for a child/children
  • People who speak Portuguese as their primary language
  • People who are living in low-income housing
  • People who have co-occurring disorders (struggle with mental health and substance use addiction)

All participants must: 

  • Be residents of Newburyport
  • Speak enough English to actively participate (Unless in the Portuguese speakers group, which will be translated)
  • Be able to commit to the date and time of the focus group and able to arrive at the start time
  • Be comfortable sharing perspectives and opinions on mental health services in Newburyport 

Focus groups will ask participants to provide their perspectives an opinions of: 

  • Resources and services related to mental healthcare in Newburyport
  • Existing mental health services you’re aware of that are available in Newburyport
  • How you feel about the services available
  • Ways to improve people’s experience accessing care
  • Trusted resources and organizations in the community that you utilize 

These groups will include 10 to 12 volunteers from the community and will last about 90 minutes. The facilitator will ask a series of questions and each member of the group will have a chance to provide feedback. You are welcome to provide as much or as little information as you feel comfortable and you can skip any question you do not feel comfortable answering.

Focus groups will be confidential and names or other potentially identifying information will not be shared with the city. Further, ICH will be compiling the data to identify themes and key takeaways across focus groups. Participants will be compensated with a $35 gift certificate for their time. 

If you are interested in participating, you can reach out to Renee Miciek at 978-572-6406. When you call, please specify which group you are interested in participating in.