Community Needs Assessment

Community Needs Assessment

Terrence A. McCray, Sr.

Liberty University

Abstract

This study is a demonstration indicating that a Mental Health Community Needs Assessment can be used as a tool of investigation to produce the outcome of change. The goal of this study is to analyze historical data of both a state and a local parish mental health history along with pertinent data and statistics. In view of the current data, which includes, but is not limited to the demographics, charts, empirical data, journals, peer-to-peer reviews, textbooks, websites, interviews, both telephone and face-to-face, dissertations, magazines, and prior learning experiences of others. In this study, the researcher discussed specific topics, which produced a final analysis. It was concluded that both the state of Louisiana and Webster Parish were in need of additional mental facilities and services to those who are struggling with mental illness. This report was written in APA format based on information from the 6th addition.

Community Needs Assessment

According to Lewis, Lewis, Daniels, and D’Andrea (2011) who states, “The word community means different things to different people: to some it may refer to people living in a specific geographical area” (Lewis, Lewis, Daniels, and D’Andrea, 2011, p. 10). In essence, a community can also consist of individuals who all share the same cultural background and who may, or may not have any type of relationship to each other, besides living in the same community (Lewis, Lewis, Daniels, and D’Andrea, 2011).

With this in mind, one has to carefully consider the many differences previously mentioned above, found in a community. Often the environment of a community can pose major concerns for individuals who are unable to secure or acquire needed services which can turn into unmet needs. These unmet needs can be legal, financial, a family need, physical health, or specifically mental health needs, which is the focus of this paper....