Erika Taylor- Parent

KINE 4353 Cumulative Experience

Stakeholder Interview Sample Questions
Please use these questions as a guide for your stakeholder interview. Some of these
questions might not apply to your project, so it is acceptable to make changes to the
questions as needed.

1. What are the “best things” about your community?

I live in a safe neighborhood, close to parks and big on community involvement.
2. What are the major challenges facing your community?
Crime is probably the biggest crime. There has been shooting that are concerning and petty
crimes like stealing from front yards and disturbing the natural landscapes with irresponsible
drivers.
3. Do you think the community is aware of these locally available services at our
hospitals?

Yes, I believe they are. I follow my community Facebook page. We are all urged to follow it.
There is a lot of information shared to keep ourselves informed and involved.

4. What specific services, if any, do you think local Hospitals need to add? Why?
It would be great if they did more advertisements on their resources. Mailing pamphlets
would be a great way to start to inform.
5. What suggestions do you have for health-related organizations to work together to provide
better services and improve the overall health of the area population?

More community involvement. It would be great if health organizations hosted events

community members could attend. It would be great to learn about the services available to the
people.

6. Where do people find out what health services are available in the area?
I believe through research or through friends or family recommendations. I receive information
from friends, and I do my research on a specific provider. I ask health professionals a lot of
questions. It is important to know the person and the practice as well.
7. Where do you think people turn for trusted health information?
They do their research and seek healthcare from physicians or specialists they trust. Family and
friend’s recommendations.
8. On a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being no collaboration and 5 being excellent collaboration, how
would you rate the collaboration in the community among these various organizations?

a. Business and industry (3)

b. Clinics (4)
c. Economic development organizations (3)
d. Emergency services, including ambulance and fire (5)
e. Health and human services agencies (examples: mental health, human development
the commission, area on aging, department of human services) (4)

f. Hospital(s) (4)
g. Indian Health Service and/or veterans affairs (3)
h. Law enforcement (5)
I. Long-term care, including nursing homes and assisted living (4)
j. Other local health providers, such as dentists and chiropractors (4)
k. Pharmacies (5)
l. Public Health (4)
m. Schools (4)
10. What community health concerns do you perceive are top priorities in your community?
There are some health concerns about people not wearing masks outdoors in public places. There
is also a security threat when walking alone may be too early or too late.
11. Even though most insurance now covers basic preventive health services like wellness visits,
many people do not use those services. Why do you think that may be?

It depends on the insurer provider. They must call and check what specialists are covered and
where to go. People might not be aware of the importance of preventative care. Some people
don’t want to go to get checkups because they are afraid of the news outcomes.

12. What would help to remove barriers that may be affecting the use of local health services by
the
community as a whole?

Perhaps spread awareness of the importance of preventative care and yearly physicals.
13. What are some of the resources or assets that exist in the area that might be able to help meet
these needs and concerns?
Social media is so important to receiving the news. I would urge the members of any community
to get involved with others in the same community and share information that can be of an asset.

14. What are the reasons that community members use our local Hospitals rather than providers
outside of their local community for health care needs?
Maybe they do not know any providers or lack health insurance.

15. What are the reasons that community members use other health care providers rather than use
their local Hospital?

They might have a long-standing relationship with their primary physician and that could lead to
other specialist recommendations. Unless it’s an emergency they go to the hospital.

16. Are you aware of populations or groups in the area that are medically underserved?
a. If so, are there any health concerns of those groups?
There is a lot of homelessness in parts of my community. A big part of this is alcohol and
drug use. This can lead to other health concerns.
b. Are there certain resources or assets currently available that could help meet these
needs?

There are none that I am aware of but through research, there could be health
organizations that help causes like these.

17. How are low-income and/or minority populations in the community impacted differently by
these potential needs?

They might lack health insurance and have difficulties finding good care. Any health conditions
they could have could worsen due to neglect.

18. If you were to give one piece of advice to improve the health of the community, what would
it
be? Is there other advice you would offer?

To seek healthcare resources available and to get involved in the community. To ask questions
and to choose the best healthcare possible.

19. How can the services or support that your organization has to offer to impact the services
provided at the National Alliance of Mental Health?
Mental health is essential for a person’s health. This organization is an expert at providing
mental health resources. It can create a big impact on wellness for many people.

20. How can you better leverage your services to provide a maximum impact at the National
Alliance of Mental Health?
I can get more involved in y community and spread awareness of this issue. I can advocate for
programs that promote mental health awareness and I can share the benefits with family and
friends.
 Erika Taylor – Parent

Erika Taylor is a parent of a child in the public school system here in Dallas. Her input in

her interview brought a different perspective than the other stakeholder’s interviews. She is not

from an underprivileged neighborhood like my other stakeholders. She is part of a neighborhood

that is involved in the community. She shares that it is so important to be involved in the things

you care about. Learning and asking questions are key. She is a parent and to her, this is her most

important role. She shares that she wants to provide her child with the best opportunities

possible. Her input throughout this interview was informative.

Erika shares that she knows about health resources available through word of mouth or

from the internet from friends, family, or community members. She says that she follows her

neighborhood page on Facebook, and she is involved in community committee organizations.

Online communication has become an integral part of how we communicate. Studies suggest that

the free exchange of information provides people with a more comprehensive view of their

situation (Kirmeyer et al, 2013). It also serves as a public voice accessible to everyone that years

ago was only accessible to the wealthy (Kirmeyer et al, 2013). Sharing information through the

internet opens the doors for many individuals. Erika represents many people in the U.S who all

work together to keep a community safe and thriving. It is communities like these that keep the

public informed and try to better the lives of many. Not only does a community supply

information to keep members informed it also serves to feel connected to a community. This is

very important in mental health wellness. The community provides members with a sense of

belonging, support, and purpose (Gilbert, 2019). People who are part of a community have

access to others who might need the same support this can include wellness supports or
healthcare resources. Many people rely on recommendations from people they trust, and I

believe communities can offer that input.

Erika is a mother to a child in the school system. I wanted to get her input on what she

thinks about a program like Healthy Minds Excel. The mock program I have been working on

throughout this cumulative experience. I informed her that it was a program to introduce mental

and behavioral health care to the school system. This program would allow every child to receive

mental health care and interventions. She believes in this program and would back it up. She

mentioned that mental health is essential for every child to have. It is a topic that not many

parents are willing to take on. She informs me that it is one of a parent’s worst fears. She informs

that many parents do not want to accept that their child might have mental illnesses. They only

seek help when absolutely necessary or if they see it’s a problem. I asked what she thinks would

be the most popular opinion among her friends and family regarding introducing mental health in

school. She said that it is a tough topic. Many parents do not want outsiders to interfere with their

children’s health. They want to be the only ones involved because it is such a sensitive topic. She

said that if mental health were to be introduced in schools, she would want full involvement. She

shared that many parents of economically disadvantaged children don’t have the option to take

their children to a mental health specialist. This program would offer them a gateway to

receiving mental health resources.

Erika’s input was so beneficial to help me understand a parent’s view on this issue. In

order to make a program like this work there need to be parent consent and involvement. Her

input on community involvement made me realize the importance of connecting with others. Not

only does this provide a sense of belonging and support but it is also a way to receive and share

useful information regarding health or news about the community.

 References

Gilbert, S. (2019). The Importance of Community and Mental Health. National Alliance of

Mental Health. https://www.nami.org/Blogs/NAMI-Blog/November-2019/The-

Importance-of-Community-and-Mental-Health

Kirmayer, L. J., Raikhel, E., & Rahimi, S. (2013). Cultures of the internet: identity, community

and mental health. Transcultural psychiatry, 50(2), 165–191. https://doi-

org.ezproxy.uta.edu/10.1177/1363461513490626