77 Increase Number of Qualified Mental Health Interpreters via Grant Funding
Issue: Consumers do not have enough access to interpreters for mental health services. Time and funds to attain a Qualified Mental Health Interpreter (QMHI) Certification are a challenge for many working interpreters. Minnesota has only two QMHI Supervisors.
Proposed Solution: State Services create a new one-time grant for increasing the number of QMHIs in Minnesota, including support for more QMHI supervisors. The time and funds to pursue a QMHI would be supported by this grant. Additionally, funding provided to compensate already certified QMHIs to provide supervision to new QMHIs in Minnesota.
Expected outcome: More highly qualified interpreters for mental health and SUD services
Who is impacted: DDBHH consumers seeking mental health services, interpreters
Timeline: 6 months
Summary of Support Image Description
The stacked bar charts show how respondents rated their level of support and the total number of responses. The percentage for the five support levels is shown from left to right: Strongly Oppose (Dark Red), Oppose (Light Red), Neutral (Yellow), Support (Light Blue), and Strongly Support (Dark Blue).
Respondents may identify with multiple subgroups. The overall level of support is:
Overall
Strongly Oppose: 0%
Oppose: 2%
Neutral: 7%
Support: 34%
Strongly Support: 57%
Click to see the detailed image description for each subgroup.
Interpreter
Strongly Oppose: 0%
Oppose: 0%
Neutral: 8%
Support: 35%
Strongly Support: 56%
DDBHH Consumer
Strongly Oppose: 0%
Oppose: 0%
Neutral: 5%
Support: 26%
Strongly Support: 69%
System Stakeholder
Strongly Oppose: 0%
Oppose: 0%
Neutral: 2%
Support: 33%
Strongly Support: 64%
Overview of Respondents Opting for In-Depth Solution Analysis
After indicating their support level, 2% of the 122 respondents opted in to further assess whether the solution would worsen or improve on five metrics. Of the opt-in reviewers (3 respondents), 100% supported the solution, 0% were neutral on the solution, and 0% opposed the solution.
The remaining 119 respondents did not opt in to further assess the solution. Of these people, 91% support the solution, 6% were neutral on the solution, and 1% opposed the solution.
Reviewer Evaluation of Solution Effectiveness
Solution Effectiveness Image Description
The stacked bar charts show how respondents assessed the effectiveness of this solution based on five metrics. For each metric, the percentage of respondents is shown from left to right: Worsens (Red), Improves (Blue), No Impact (Gray).
DDBHH Quality of Life
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 100%
No Impact 0%
Interpreter Satisfaction
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 100%
No Impact 0%
Consumer Choice
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 100%
No Impact 0%
Interpreting Availability
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 100%
No Impact 0%
Interpreting Quality
Makes It Worse 0%
Makes It Better 100%
No Impact 0%
Reviewer Feedback and Insights
Interpreter
One comment from Interpreters point out that Minnesota already has two QMHI-Supervisors and stresses that any implementation must align with Alabama’s Office of Deaf Services, highlighting differences in practices between states, such as access to medical records. Another comment underscores the nationwide need for more qualified mental health interpreters and suggests that the state partner with educational institutions to create accessible specialty training in ASL. One comment expresses interest in learning more about mental health interpreting and asks what roles need direct communication support.
Deaf, DeafBlind, Hard of Hearing
No comments were submitted.
System Stakeholder
One comment from a System stakeholder notes the need for more qualified mental health interpreters and critiques the accessibility of Mental Health Interpreter Training (MHIT) for Deaf participants, suggesting that partnerships with educational institutions could help develop better training programs.
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