Moderator Guide For FGD
Moderator Guide For FGD
Moderator Guide For FGD
INTRODUCTION: Welcome to our discussion group on mental health issues in your
community. As members of this community, we would appreciate your opinion on these
important health issues that can affect our families. This meeting will take approximately 2
hours. When we are finished, I will give each of you a “thank you gift certificate” for your time.
We greatly value your opinions and ideas.
The purpose of this discussion and survey/questionnaire is to:
¨ Identify barriers to mental health services in the Hispanic community (i.e.
stigma, cost, accessibility, language barriers, childcare, transportation);
¨ Better understand the values and beliefs about mental health issues in the
Hispanic community;
¨ Identify resources in the Hispanic community to address mental health issues;
¨ Identify the best media (e.g. print, radio, TV) to share mental health information
in the Hispanic community
CONFIDENTIALITY: This meeting will be tape recorded, but the recording and surveys are
ALL confidential and anonymous; no last names will be used or other identifiable information.
The only limit to confidentiality is if someone here is at risk of hurting themselves or another
person (hand out Confidentiality Contracts).
(Pass out consent forms for participation in the discussion).
GROUP RULES: We do have some rules for our discussion:
a) Only use first names. If you prefer, you can make up a name.
b) No side conversations or comments, whoever is speaking will be given full
attention and respect.
c) Children or other unauthorized visitors are not allowed in group.
d) No one will discuss information/problems of any group member outside of group.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: Now I would like to ask the group some questions about mental
health. There is no right or wrong answer. You can talk from your personal
experience/knowledge or opinions.
(Icebreaker question: How long have you lived in Emporia and what brought you here?)
(Please identify yourselves as either Speaker No. 1, Speaker No. 2, etc.)
1. In your community or culture how do people cope with personal problems such as:
a) Death
b) Relationship issues
c) Alcohol or other drugs
d) Adult or child abuse?
2. How is it different from the United States?
6. What do you think of medications for sleep, anxiety, or depression in the United States?
9. Where would you go for help with the following problems:
a) Individual counseling (for stress, depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship
issues):_________________________
b) Parenting help:______________________________
c) Medication for anxiety or depression____________
d) Evaluations for child development or school problems:_________
e) Child’s emotional needs ( Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, anger,
behavioral problems)___________________
f) Drug or alcohol services________________
g) Couples’ or family counseling____________
h) Emergency Services ( where to call if you or someone else is suicidal or having
some other kind of crisis)_____________________
10. Have you ever gone to a counselor, therapist, or psychologist for help?
a) How did they/you find out where to go?_______________________
b) How many visits or how long did they/you have?
c) Why or when did they/you quit using the services or help?_________
d) Were the services helpful? WHY? Were you able to make the changes you wanted
to?___________________________________________________
e) If the services were not helpful, why not?____________________________
f) Would you go to a counselor/therapist for Family/Domestic violence or child
abuse?_________________________________________________________
SURVEY QUESTIONNAIRE: Now I would like you to answer some questions on a survey
about mental health. It will take about 15 minutes. Please let me know if you have any questions.
BROCHURE FEEDBACK: On the survey, there was a question about printed materials
promoting mental health education. I have some brochures today that I would like your opinion
on. (Describe each brochure in front of group and then pass around. Have participants give a
score from 1 10 {10 best} on the survey for each brochure, note at tops of brochures/flyers
ratings.
DEBRIEFING: Before we end our discussion, does anyone have any questions? There is much
that mental health professionals can do to help and support people and families with their
problems. Mental health is just like any physical illness and there is nothing to be ashamed
about. We hope that if you know some one, or if you are having problems, you will seek help or
assistance and/or refer the person you are concerned about for help.
I am now passing out some information about options for mental health services in this
community (Resource Referral Lists). Please note that the list tells you whether or not
Medicaid is accepted; if there is a sliding fee scale; and whether or not interpreter services are
available.
We thank you very much for your time and opinions! As a token of our appreciation, please
accept this gift certificate.