Focus Groups

The research team conducted two focus groups (N = 7, N = 4) to explore and discuss survey findings. Participants in the groups were recruited via the contact information they elected to provide (voluntary) after completing the survey as well as through word of mouth recruitment at focus group locations. If participants at the focus groups had not previously completed the survey, they were given a paper copy to complete and turn in at their convenience. The groups were audio-recorded using Kaltura Software after gaining informed consent from each participant. Audio recordings were permanently deleted after being transcribed for coding and analysis. All participants’ names and sensitive information were redacted during transcription to retain their confidentiality; however, the participants of the focus groups inhabited a variety of community roles, such as health and social service providers, volunteers, church members, and those holding local civic/political positions. The first group consisted of four men and three women, with the second group consisting of four women. All focus group participants were legal adults and their ages ranged from 30 to 80 years old.

These groups were held within the community and guided by a set of questions to discuss the mental health service modalities most favored by survey respondents (see AppendixB ). Focus groups were led by the research facilitators and followed a semi-structured format, although further theme exploration expanded beyond the scope of the preset questions. The focus groups were held in accessible community spaces and lasted approximately an hour and a half. Focus group discourse was transcribed, coded, and analyzed for themes using a grounded theory framework (Keesler 2014; Glasser and Strauss 1967).