Mitigating Mental and Social Health Outcomes of COVID-19: a Counseling Approach

Mitigating Mental and Social Health Outcomes of COVID-19: a Counseling Approach

The goal of this clinical trial is to develop a comprehensive mental health counseling program purposed to address the social determinant of health impacts of the coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19). The main questions the investigators aim to answer are: 1) What are the mental and social determinant of health impacts of a COVID-19 diagnosis, and 2) What are the impacts of a counseling program implemented to address those impacts? Participants will participate in individual interviews, attend individual and group counseling, and be provided resources related to their social determinants of health needs.

The social determinants of health (SDOH) are an important social justice issue affecting various quality of life outcomes (e.g., physical and mental health). COVID-19 has disproportionately affected the SDOH of underserved and minority communities, including those in New Mexico (NM) and Idaho (ID). However, there is a lack of research on specifically how COVID-19 has affected individuals' SDOH, inhibiting prevention and response from mental health professionals and their interprofessional collaborators. Counselor education researchers have also not yet conducted outcome-based studies in this area. This research will support the development of a comprehensive, SDOH-focused mental health counseling program aimed to assess for and address the SDOH impacts of COVID-19 for individuals in NM and ID. This research will include in-depth assessment of participants' SDOH needs pertinent to COVID-19. Counseling may cover topics directly related, but also adjacent, to the participants' COVID-19 diagnosis and its impact. Participants will be provided resources and referrals specific to those needs, and engage in individual and group mental health counseling services aimed to mitigate the adverse mental and social health outcomes of COVID-19. Thus, this research should provide understanding of (1) the SDOH impacts of COVID-19, (2) feasibility of a mental health counseling program purposed to address such needs, and (3) the mental health and SDOH-related impacts of such a counseling program.

Inclusion Criteria:

• at least 18 years of age
• tested positive for COVID-19 at some point in time
• reports experiencing economic, social, educational, healthcare, and/or environmentally related challenges due to their COVID-19 diagnosis
• is not currently receiving mental health counseling services
• resides in the State of New Mexico (NM) or the State of Idaho (ID)
• has access to the internet (not necessary for counseling services, but to complete interviews/assessments)
• has not experienced active suicidal or homicidal ideation or active psychosis in the last six months

Exclusion Criteria:

• is not at least 18 years of age
• has not received a COVID-19 diagnosis within the last year
• does not report experiencing economic, social, educational, healthcare, and/or environmentally related challenges due to their COVID-19 diagnosis
• is currently receiving mental health counseling services
• does not have access to the internet
• has experienced active suicidal or homicidal ideation or active psychosis in the last six months