Crystal L. Barksdale is pursuing a research agenda that focuses on children’s mental health services and utilization, with a specific interest in disparities among African Americans. Dr. Barksdale is currently working on a project that involves examining mental health and utilization disparities in children’s mental health services using a national data set on comprehensive community mental health services for children. Richard E. Sechrest’s past research examined the efficacy of culturally derived interventions in substance abuse treatment with Asian and Pacific Islander women in a rural location on the island of Hawaii. The treatment program, Hui Ho’ola O Na Nahulu O Hawai’i (translated: The gathering that gives life back to the people of Hawai’i), integrated conventional substance abuse treatments such as group therapy, family therapy, career counseling, and family related services with more unconventional treatment strategies. Among the numerous treatments the Hui utilized were meetings with Kapuna (elders), Ho’oponopono (a group process), La’au lapa’au (use of natural Hawaiian herbs in horticulture and aquaculture therapy), and Lomilomi (a form of massage). Acupuncture was also incorporated into treatment. This study of culturally relevant treatment provided insight into interventions that extended the duration, long-term efficacy and the intensity of impact of substance abuse treatments as well as enhancing program outreach. Dr. Sechrest also contributed to the “Kokua Mau Lima Youth Mentoring Project.” This alcohol and substance abuse prevention program selected at-risk adolescent female Asian/Pacific Islander youth from Kalihi, Oahu who are matched with female Asian/Pacific Islander mentors. The primary goals of the mentoring program were reducing risk factors, enhanced protective factors, and strengthened family relationships through culturally appropriate guidance, support and role modeling. This project illuminated the value of strong and accessible role models in the significant reduction of risk factors for Asian/Pacific Islander female adolescents that had been identified as “at-risk.”Dr. Sechrest’s interests lie in the areas of mental health treatment, seeking behaviors and barriers to treatment amongst minority and diverse cultures as well as special populations such as the military and their families. More specifically, Dr. Sechrest plans to become involved in assessing seeming barriers to therapy, both geographic and philosophic, that reduce continuation of therapy for minority clients or special populations. |
