About the Initiative
Mission
Harlem Strong’s mission is to address the syndemic risks of mental health, social risks, institutional racism, and COVID-19 through a neighborhood-based multisectoral coalition of community, faith-based, mental health, social service, health, and city organizations focused on mental health integration and coordination of care across the Harlem community. The specific goals of the coalition are to:
- promote mental health awareness and access to resources across the
community - increase linkage to care through care navigation
- build capacity in mental health promotion and task-sharing skills
- support continuous quality improvement
- strengthen community resiliency.
Vision
To close gaps in care and strengthen community mental health resiliency in Harlem.
Values
- Community-partnered
- Health equity
- Evidence-based solutions
Research Study Overview
Community-engaged planning is an evidence-based model for coordinating systems of care and will be used to support implementation of a multisector collaborative care in low income housing (LIC) and primary care (PC) sites. Harlem Strong will use a sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART) design to build an adaptive implementation strategy in which we first test the effectiveness of a community engaged multisector collaborative care model (MCC) compared with education and resources (E&R) for MH task-sharing (screening, education, and referral).
During the second randomization, MCC sites will be randomized to the addition of technology-based implementation tool to determine the added value of a community-developed innovation for implementation.
Harlem Strong will evaluate the impact on system and consumers of a multisectoral community collaborative care model.
Project Partners
Center for Innovation in Mental Health (CIMH)
CIMH is an academic training and research center that promotes reach and adoption of evidence-based mental health interventions through research, evaluation, training, and policy. CIMH has extensive background in developing capacity, implementing, scaling up, and evaluating evidence-based practices (EBPs) for mental health across multiple sectors for vulnerable communities globally. CIMH’s goal is to support the development and scale-up of evidence- based mental health solutions and innovations to increase access and quality of mental health care for all populations.
Harlem Congregations for Community Improvement, Inc. (HCCI)
Founded in 1986, HCCI is a diverse coalition of inter- faith congregations that has implemented a comprehensive portfolio of programs to provide affordable housing and safe streets; offer opportunities for individuals and groups to become and remain economically independent; increase understanding of and access to health care; and provide substantive educational programs for adults and young people.
Harlem Health Initiative (HHI)
HHI has one aim: to improve the health and wellbeing of the Harlem community by supporting its existing community-based organizations. The Harlem Health Initiative’s very first step is a comprehensive process of listening to community stakeholders to develop a full understanding of the health-related needs of the Harlem community and learning everything possible about the existing service organizations that aim to address those needs.
Mental Health Crisis
Preliminary Work
Community Needs Assessment
The goal of the Harlem Strong Multi-Stakeholder Needs Assessment is to better understand the economic, social, health, and mental health impacts of COVID and to inform the development of community-based programming and services to better serve the Harlem community during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
We have included Harlem residents, CBO staff, faith leaders, and community leaders in our multi-stakeholder approach. Harlem residents (both public / affordable housing and market rate housing), CBO staff, and faith and community leaders are being recruited for an online survey. Of those recruited for the survey, 10 from each stakeholder group will be invited for qualitative interviews to gain insight on barriers and facilitators for an effective, community-based mental health intervention.
CBO Mapping Findings
Summary
To complement the ongoing needs assessment, we developed a list of 94 CBOs through databases obtained from our community partners in Harlem. We then conducted an environmental scan to identify and characterize the Harlem community’s active organizations and services.
Resident Survey
Recruitment
In order to accurately measure the stressors contributing to negative mental health and increased substance use during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Harlem Strong Study tapped into the rich connections our community partners have throughout the neighborhood. In addition to advertising the survey via Harlem CBOs and Community Boards 9, 10, and 11, residents were recruited via HCCI, HHI, and CIMH’s social media channels and through word of mouth. Survey participants who met completion criteria were provided with $20 Amazon gift cards to reimburse them for their time.
Survey Development
The Harlem Strong Needs Assessment Resident Survey was developed using a combination of new and validated measurement tools. The survey itself was administered digitally, via Qualtrics. Data was collected between April 13, 2021- September 16, 2021.
Data Verification & Analysis
Data was verified manually by the research team using whitepages.com, metadata, verification questions, emails, and phone calls to survey participants. Verified surveys were analyzed using both STATA and SPSS statistical software programs.
Participants
"...to see the effect that things are having on the Community and knowing that you're limited in what you can do and doing the best you can with what you have." - Harlem CBO Leader
Market Value Housing (own market value rental, etc.)
Affordable Housing / NYCHA
Total Validated Participants
254
139
393
Qualifying Zip Codes: 10025, 10026, 10027, 10029, 10030, 10031, 10035, 10037, 10039, 10115