Zip Code and Mental Health: Where you Live Matters for Individuals with Serious Mental Illnesses-Presentation and Q&A

Video Transcription

Video Summary

In this video presentation, Dr. Benson Koo discusses the relationship between neighborhood characteristics and mental health outcomes among individuals with serious mental illnesses. He focuses on three specific neighborhood characteristics: food deserts, neighborhood poverty, and neighborhood residential instability. Dr. Koo explains that food insecurity and living in food deserts are prevalent among individuals with serious mental illnesses, and they may contribute to poor mental and physical health outcomes. He also discusses how neighborhood poverty is associated with smaller hippocampal volume, which is important in the pathophysiology of psychotic disorders. Additionally, Dr. Koo explores the role of neighborhood residential instability in the onset of psychosis, and how it may contribute to social fragmentation and adverse mental health outcomes. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the social determinants of mental health and how they can impact individuals with serious mental illnesses, and highlights the need for further research in this area. The presentation concludes with Dr. Koo discussing the potential implications of these findings for clinical practice, including the importance of being curious about patients' living situations and the potential impact of neighborhood characteristics on their mental health. The presentation provides insights into the complex relationship between neighborhoods and mental health outcomes, and underscores the need for a holistic approach to mental healthcare that considers the social determinants of health.

Keywords

neighborhood characteristics

mental health outcomes

serious mental illnesses

food deserts

food insecurity

neighborhood poverty

neighborhood residential instability

hippocampal volume

psychotic disorders

social determinants of mental health