Community Needs Analysis

Running head: COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 1

Name

Institution

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 2

Community Needs Analysis

Abstract

This paper concentrates on analyzing the needs of the community in

Morganton. It emphasizes on particular areas that are of great importance in analyzing the

needs of the community of Morganton through; giving an introduction of the community

regarding the location, population, climate and demographic factors, introducing the state

of Morganton on the location and uniqueness of the state. For instance, the town of

Morganton presents a unique population that shapes many counseling and human service

needs such as the elderly population. It also focusses on the accessing the local needs of

Morganton town which includes the population data as well as cultural demographics and

identified at-risk populations by considering those who suffer from drug abuse, alcohol

abuse, poverty, domestic abuse, various mental health issues, at-risk youth or children,

medical related struggles such as cancer related situations, issues related to the elderly,

family systems that struggle with mental issues such as autism or Asperger syndrome,

homelessness, etc. Moreover, the paper summarizes the perceived mental health needs of

the community and addresses the services that are provided by both the government and

the private agencies including Church ministries.

Needs Analysis: Introduction to Community

Morganton a large town which is situated in the state of North Carolina, it spans for an on

a vastness of 0f 23 square miles. Interstate 40 runs through, the city of Morganton, and this

makes up a total of five interstate exits located within the city limits. U.S. Highways 64, 70, 23,

together with 81 interconnect the city’s limits at various points as well. There are larger cities

Commented [G1]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G2]: Deleted:l

Commented [G3]: Inserted: n

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 3

located about an hour away including Charlotte and Asheville. The climate is very moderate and

in addition to this, it comprises gentle summers, pleasant and long periods of fall and spring, and

lastly fairly hot summers (Benesch, 1996). The location of Morganton is in the foothill region of

North Carolina, and there about 41 inches of rainfall per year.

Morganton town has a population that consists of around 17,000 individuals and more

than 65,000 citizens stay a short distance away. The labor force in the city of Morganton

consists of more than 52,000 people, and about 35,000 people live within 7 miles from the town

while about 60,000 stay around the 20 miles. As far as age is concerned the largest percentage,

of the city of Morganton, is made up of individuals who are 65 years old and older. This age

group makes up about 21 percent of Morganton's population the second age group being

individuals who are under 18 years old at about 20 percent. As far as gender is concerned,

females make up a higher percentage than males at about 51 percent in total. This leads to the

percentages involving race and ethnicity throughout the city. The majority, of the population, of

the city of Morganton, is White or Caucasian totaling about 75 percent. The second highest

percentage is Black or African American having a total of about 10 percent of Morganton's

population. The median household income is around $38,782. In total, there is about 25 percent,

of the city's population, that is currently living in poverty. 

Introduction to State

The town of Morganton is located in the state of North Carolina. North Carolina is well

known for its extensive natural beauty, and the land is quite diverse. North Carolina is home to

both the mountains and the sea. The state is highly rich in natural resources including a variety

of wildlife and 10 national parks. There are ample opportunities in regards to cultural and

Commented [G4]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G5]: Deleted:of

Commented [G9]: Deleted:are

Commented [G6]: Inserted: is

Commented [G8]: Deleted:t a

Commented [G7]: Inserted: ,

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 4

educational experiences including museums, theaters, zoological parks, aquariums, etc. There

are also numerous recreational opportunities including kayaking, boating, fishing, hiking, and

skiing. Individuals are able to visit the black crest Expressway, Cape Lookout, Cape Hatteras,

41 state parks and recreation areas and national seashores. The population, in North Carolina, is

continuously growing and becoming more diverse.

Local and State Needs Assessment

The data for the need assessment comprised of the local and state level. The state-level

data consists of inventories resources which are stored in state programs. The inventories for

state data are general. These programs require someone to be eligible in order to get access to the

data. Local data consists of inventories that are more restricted to some specific areas or people.

The data from the local level is usually taken from a certain community or place. Other sources

of data that were used included data that is based on population that was obtained from the state

census, data from surveillance systems, and data from focus and public groups.

The community of Morganton faces several mental needs which include; stigma

especially for HIV related patient, disorders that arise from substance and drug abuse, financial

stress due to tough economic times, rough experiences of trauma and sexual violence , alcohol

abuse , poverty , medical related issues for instance cancer , issues related to the elderly , family

systems that struggle with issues such as autism and homelessness and failure by refugees and

immigrants to notice the signs and symptoms of stress as treatable and psychological . Stigma by

HIV patients arises when the people who are close to the victim of HIV do not want to associate

with them directly, this, therefore, causes them to feel lonely and left out by the other people in

society. Drug abuse usually brings about mental problems usual when a person misuses or takes

Commented [G10]: Deleted::

Commented [G11]: Inserted: -

Commented [G14]: Deleted:i

Commented [G12]: Inserted: e

Commented [G13]: Inserted: e

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 5

excessive drugs the complications arise due to the intoxication of the mind by the drugs.

Financial stress is a cause for alarm in Morganton since when the economy of the state raises the

standard of living goes high causing people to strain a lot in their pockets leading to a lot of

pressure as people start to think on how they can survive the high standards of living. Sexual

violence together with trauma have caused a good number of people in Morganton to have

mental problems since a person goes through a lot of mental torment when she experiences

trauma and sexual violence. Men who engage in alcohol abuse tend to cause a lot of chaos in

their homes since the children and women tend to live with fear of being beaten once the man

comes home causing them to reach to an extent of hiding to avoid coming into contact with the

man. Poverty has also played a major role in causing mental disorders since when a person is

poor he is unable to access good health services especially when the illness involves a

complication of the mind (Agarwal, 2001).

Medical related complications for example cancer can cause great pain in a person's life

since it lasts for a long period of time before it can be cured completely. This makes the patient

undergo a lot of mental pain for a long period of time until the cure is discovered. Issues related

to the elderly affect the mental health of several people in Morganton, this is because the elderly

are prone to many diseases due to their weak immune system that makes them vulnerable even to

diseases that attack and affect the normal functioning of the mind. Family systems that struggle

with issues such as autism and homelessness experience a lot of mental discomforts, for instance,

a challenge in speech tends to lower the moral of a person while on the other hand lacking a

home by an individual causes a person to feel lonely which leads to a lot of stress on the person.

(Kawachi; et al 1999) .Failure by refugees and immigrants to notice the signs and symptoms of

stress as treatable and psychological also causes a lot of mental health issues in Morganton since

Commented [G15]: Inserted: the

Commented [G16]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G17]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G18]: Inserted: a

Commented [G19]: Inserted: of

Commented [G20]: Inserted: to

Commented [G27]: Deleted:to

Commented [G28]: Deleted:ince autism

Commented [G21]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G30]: Deleted:s

Commented [G29]: Deleted:s

Commented [G22]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G32]: Deleted:be

Commented [G31]: Deleted: of

Commented [G23]: Inserted: ing

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 6

if stress is not noticed earlier its effects become more and more disastrous. The refugees and

immigrants are unable to notice the signs and symptoms of stress at its early stage and its

possible treatment because of being uneducated causing them to be ignorant.

Summation

The assessment of community needs in Morganton offers a means through which

different mental health needs affecting the community can be discovered and possible solutions

of the need s are found to avoid suffering by the people. During the examination of the different

mental health needs at the community level, major differences were observed between

population data and cultural demographics and the need for the differences to be addressed to

ensure that the people of Morganton experience minimal mental health needs (Gilabert, 2005).

For example, a number of causes for mental health needs were brought out by factors which

included ; stigma especially on HIV related patient, disorders that arise from substance and drug

abuse, financial stress due to tough economic times, rough experiences of trauma and sexual

violence , alcohol abuse , poverty , medical related issues for instance cancer , issues related to

the elderly , family systems that struggle with issues such as autism and homelessness and failure

by refugees and immigrants to notice the signs and symptoms of stress as treatable and

psychological. Due to all these needs that affect the people, there is a great concern to address

them so that life in Morganton can move on as usual with a few mental needs.

Services Provided

According to the above mentioned medical needs, the government of Morganton is

working tirelessly to address all the mental health needs. On the issue of alcohol abuse, the

government is trying to establish a law against strong liquors as a means to ensure that its people

do not get drunk to such an extent as to cause havoc on their families. Laws on the imprisonment

Commented [G24]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G25]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G26]: Inserted: s

Commented [G39]: Deleted:b

Commented [G33]: Inserted: ar

Commented [G34]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G40]: Deleted:e

Commented [G35]: Inserted: ing

Commented [G41]: Deleted:i

Commented [G36]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G37]: Inserted: e

Commented [G38]: Inserted: e

Commented [G42]: Inserted: ,

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 7

of men found abusing their wife or children have been passed so children and wives can start

living without fear of being abused (Spencer & Ritchie, (2002). The fight against drug abuse has

been accelerated where those found trafficking drugs in Morganton are apprehended and face the

full arm of the law. This ensures that the number of youths engaging in drug abuse is brought

down thereby leading to a healthy population in Morganton. The stigma of HIV victims is being

suppressed by the government through HIV campaigns and awareness.

The campaigns ensure that people who may look down on HIV victims are addressed on

how they should treat HIV victims with love since they are just human beings like them and

deserve to be treated with love and affection. (Rogers & Seigfried, 2004) Awareness of HIV

victims is done to ensure that the victims are encouraged and given a moral support which would

make them feel appreciated in the community, therefore, leading to reduced stress in them.

Financial stress on the other hand has been catered for by the government through

ensuring that the escalation of the economy does not affect the average citizen too much, on this

the government has made an effort to put subsidies on basic goods and services to ensure that

average citizens can afford the basic need causing people not to think a lot on how to survive the

tough economic times. Rough experiences of trauma and sexual violence on individuals have

been addressed by ensuring that strict measures are put for anyone found committing sexual

violence which consists of life imprisonment where the accused is found guilty of the offense.

The government of Morganton has tried to deal with trauma through ensuring that the individuals

involved are taken to mental hospitals that can help them come out of the trauma fast while

ensuring they regain their normal state of the mind. Medical related complications for example

cancer have been addressed through increasing the funds to support the patients so that they can

get quality health facilities to ensure they recuperate fast. The government has tried to budget

Commented [G43]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G44]: Inserted: l

Commented [G51]: Deleted:n

Commented [G45]: Inserted: f

Commented [G50]: Deleted:S

Commented [G46]: Inserted: The s

Commented [G52]: Deleted:n

Commented [G47]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G48]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G49]: Inserted: f

Commented [G55]: Deleted:c

Commented [G53]: Inserted: s

Commented [G54]: Deleted:a

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 8

some funds to aid in purchasing the expensive equipment required in treating cancer, and by so

doing this will ensure that the local hospitals have enough facilities to deal with the cases of

cancer that contribute to an increase in mental health problems (Seedhouse, 1995). Poverty

issues causing mental health needs have been addressed by the government by ensuring that the

less fortunate people in the community are supported financially so that they can be able to meet

their basic needs and reduce the mental worries that come when an individual is unable to meet

his basic needs. Moreover, the government through the ministry of health has tried to offer free

medical facilities to the less fortunate them so that they can stop suffering mental stress in case a

person has no finance to take him to hospital. The government of Morganton has also tried to

involve the less fortunate in income generating activities so that through that they can get money

to support themselves thereby eradicating worries in their mind.

Mental issues that emanate from being elderly have been tackled by the government by

ensuring that the elderly people get access to free treatment in hospitals as a way to deal with

numerous diseases that come with old age causing an attack on the mental health of a person.

The government has also tried to set up some funds for establishing new hospitals for the elderly,

as a way to ensure that the elderly get access to specialized treatment by providing modern

facilities in the hospital together with qualified doctors who take care of them. Family systems

that struggle with issues such as autism and homelessness have received immense support from

the government through being assisted with a place to call home for them that may be lacking a

home and creating awareness for family members who suffer from autism so that the individuals

can be encouraged and appreciate the way they have been created despite them having issues

such as speech problems. Failure by refugees and immigrants to notice the signs and symptoms

of stress as treatable and psychological has been dealt with by through educating the refugees

Commented [G56]: Deleted:.

Commented [G57]: Deleted:is

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 9

and the immigrants on how to detect signs and symptoms of stress and providing creation of

more health facilities to ensure the can seek a doctor’s advice how to overcome the stress.

Research of State and Local Government Organizations

The state together with the local organizations in Morganton has conducted a research on

the mental health needs of the people in that area. Their research showed that the mental health

needs of the community were brought about by factors such as inadequate job opportunities,

broken marriages, and relationships, the death of a dear one and accidents. Inadequate job

opportunities cause the individual to have a feeling of hopelessness in his mind and he may also

feel to give up in life. Broken marriages normally cause a lot of distress in the life of a man and a

woman this may lead to mental health complications because of having a lot of stress (Long;

2005.). Death of a dear one may cause a lot of stress on the person who is close to the diseased

causing him to go through a long period of mental torment.

Private Agencies or Church Ministries

The private agencies which include the church have been engaging in vigorous activities

to see into it that the mental needs of the community in Morganton are met. This has been made

possible through ways such as; nourishing people with the word of God, assisting the needy

people in society, praying for those undergoing mental health needs, and counseling the HIV

victims in society. The Sunday services ensure that the people who undergo mental torment and

stress are nourished through the word of God that rejuvenate their strength. The church also is

generous to give to those who are needy by visiting them and sharing the little they have, and by

doing so the less fortunate are able to feel appreciated therefore reducing their stress (Nash,

2005) Prayers by the church to those who are passing through mental stress greatly assist them to

feel a sigh of relief since the power of prayer gives the individual a form of spiritual peace.

Commented [G61]: Deleted:ve

Commented [G58]: Inserted: s

Commented [G63]: Deleted:s

Commented [G62]: Deleted:of

Commented [G59]: Inserted: the

Commented [G60]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G65]: Deleted:.

Commented [G66]: Deleted:n

Commented [G64]: Inserted: h

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 10

Interaction and Collaboration

The interaction and collaboration between the government and the private sector are key

to ensuring that the mental health needs of the people of Morganton are met. The government

cannot meet the mental needs of its people alone, therefore, the support from the private agencies

go a long way in ensuring the government meets its goal of ensuring a good mental health of its

people. Both of them engage in charitable activities that aim to benefit the mental needs of its

people. Through their collaboration, they are able to work together and ensure construction of

more hospitals and increased number of facilities thus making the health of the community to

become better. The interaction between the two ensures that the fight for deadly diseases such as

cancer are addressed with more vigor leading to their defeat since unity is power

Author reflection

Throughout the class and this project learning community, need assessment has been very

vital in helping me to achieve my professional and personal objective. I have been able to learn

the different mental needs of a community and how to solve them. Moreover, I have learned how

the private agency and the government work hand in hand to achieve the community mental

health needs. This has made me become an expert in undertaking community need analysis

projects in the future (Nash,2005.).

Commented [G76]: Deleted:in

Commented [G67]: Inserted: to

Commented [G75]: Deleted:is

Commented [G68]: Inserted: are

Commented [G74]: Deleted:of

Commented [G69]: Inserted: between

Commented [G77]: Deleted:of

Commented [G70]: Inserted: between

Commented [G71]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G72]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G73]: Inserted: ,

Commented [G84]: Deleted:t

Commented [G78]: Inserted: the

Commented [G79]: Inserted: ed

Commented [G83]: Deleted:r

Commented [G80]: Inserted: f

Commented [G82]: Deleted:f

Commented [G81]: Inserted: ,

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 11

COMMUNITY NEEDS ANALYSIS 12

References

Seedhouse, P. (1995). Needs analysis and the general English classroom.

Spencer, L., & Ritchie, J. (2002). Qualitative data analysis for applied policy research. Analyzing

qualitative data (pp. 187-208). Routledge.

Nash, M. (2005). Physical care skills: a training needs analysis of inpatient and community

mental health nurses. Mental Health Practice, 9(4), 20-24.

Gilabert, R. (2005). Evaluating the use of multiple sources and methods in needs analysis: A case

study of journalists in the Autonomous Community of Catalonia (Spain). The second

language needs analysis, 182-199.

Benesch, S. (1996). Needs analysis and curriculum development in EAP: An example of a

critical approach. Tesol Quarterly, 30(4), 723-738.

Rogers, M. K., & Seigfried, K. (2004). The future of computer forensics: a needs analysis

survey. Computers & Security, 23(1), 12-16.

Agarwal, B. (2001). Participatory exclusions, community forestry, and gender: An analysis for

South Asia and a conceptual framework. World development, 29(10), 1623-1648.

Kawachi, I., Kennedy, B. P., & Glass, R. (1999). Social capital and self-rated health: a

contextual analysis. American journal of public health, 89(8), 1187-1193.

Long, M. H. (Ed.). (2005). The second language needs analysis. Cambridge University Press.

Nash, M. (2005). Physical care skills: a training needs analysis of inpatient and community

mental health nurses. Mental Health Practice, 9(4), 20-24.

Commented [G85]: Deleted:In

Commented [G87]: Deleted:S

Commented [G86]: Inserted: The s

Commented [G89]: Deleted:S

Commented [G88]: Inserted: The s

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Paper type

Deadline

Page count

550 words

Total price: $ 15.00

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

USA, Student

"I'm fully satisfied with the essay I've just received. When I read it, I felt like it was exactly what I wanted to say, but couldn’t find the necessary words. Thank you!"

Ian McGregor

UK, Student

"I don’t know what I would do without your assistance! With your help, I met my deadline just in time and the work was very professional. I will be back in several days with another assignment!"

Shannon Williams

Canada, Student

"It was the perfect experience! I enjoyed working with my writer, he delivered my work on time and followed all the guidelines about the referencing and contents."

Community needs analysis

Place new order. It's free, fast and safe

Our customers say

Jeff Curtis

Ian McGregor

Shannon Williams