Using Photovoice to examine adolescents' experiences receiving mental health services in the United States.

In the U.S., fewer than half of children and adolescents who report mental disorders receive care and the needs of those who receive care have yet to be explored. There is a scarcity of studies examining the needs of adolescents with mental conditions and at risk for suicide. Learning directly from the adolescents can fill in this gap by providing insight that clinicians and researchers lack about adolescents' experience. This study uses Photovoice, a Community-Based Participatory Research method that involves focus groups and the use of cameras by participants to visually capture their reality and express their ideas through photographs. By using Photovoice, this study aims to provide an opportunity for adolescents to voice their own perspectives and for researchers and clinicians to gain an understanding of adolescents' life experience away from the treatment setting, as well as their experience as consumers of mental health services. Four participants, including two 15 year olds and two 17 year olds, were recruited from a mental health clinic in New York City. Parental consent and adolescent assent were collected per Institutional Review Board requirements. Thematic analysis was used to identify and report response patterns. Four themes emerged: (i) sense of self, (ii) family, (iii) suicidal ideation and (iv) treatment. Findings suggest that Photovoice is valued by adolescents and leads to critical thinking, self-reflection, discovering strengths and social support. Adolescents reported feeling empowered, which is the ultimate goal of Photovoice. Photovoice presents a powerful opportunity to be used as therapeutic strategy with adolescents that demands further research.