Challenges approached by the Konsulta'm Lab
The last challenges approached by the Lab were based on two main categories:
1) Related to the services provision, identity, and evolution of the Konsulta'm program, as it is a new approach to interacting in a greater community network of social, educational, and health services.
A. Referring young people based on mental health needs for treatment or a more extended intervention. The Konsulta’m program is a preventive-community service, and there is a need to have a quick response to a demand for mental health issues, and early detection of mental health problems is key. When someone needs special support there should be a protocol for referring the person to mental health services through quicker access. The protocol and communication systems among teams and community stakeholders are reviewed periodically to be improved when needed.
B. How to better explain the aim of Konsulta'm to users (youth and professionals working with them), to avoid misunderstandings about the services, false expectations, and common mistakes about the services provision. Disseminating and improve communication about the goals of the services regarding community agents is key reaching Konsulta'm main objectives in the community. A strategy of communication messages depending on the target and keywords was developed to better approach youth needs. These messages would be applied mainly in professional explanations to community agents, youth, or adult users.
C. How to improve the community-based approach: learning to work in the community, and reaching other stakeholders' needs is one of the main traits of Konsulta'm services. As multiple providers are collaborating to run the services, a common approach would facilitate equity in service access in all the territory. The community model has been reviewed to better approach target needs, sharing common interventions and other strategies applied by stakeholders.
2) Related to important issues for main target users detected in a continuous follow-up of needs, based on qualitative and quantitative data collected in meetings and indicators of the services. These topics are worked with different methodologies (case studies, problem-solving dynamics, interactive training, etc).
- Intercultural approach: How to improve the understanding of intercultural needs and how to approach mental health issues with an intercultural approach.
- Prevention and early detection of sexist violence in youth and young adults.