From clinics to communities: community health workers’ perspectives on taking on the behavioral health care manager role for community-based geriatric depression treatment | Synapse
February 25, 2026
From clinics to communities: community health workers’ perspectives on taking on the behavioral health care manager role for community-based geriatric depression treatment
Key Points
To explore community health workers’ (CHWs) perspectives on their evolving roles in managing behavioral health, specifically for geriatric depression.
Conducted qualitative interviews with community health workers (CHWs)
Analyzed CHWs' perspectives on their role as behavioral health care managers
Identified challenges and potential for role redesign
Findings indicate strong acceptance of the behavioral health care manager role among CHWs
CHWs believe that role redesign can improve community-based treatment for geriatric depression
Emphasis on the need for understanding other stakeholders’ perspectives to enhance workforce effectiveness
Abstract
Findings support the acceptability of developing a BHCM workforce among CHWs, but understanding the perspectives of other stakeholders would be warranted for CHW role redesign.