Social need, mental health challenges, and suicide risk among laundromat customers: an opportunity for intervention

Reducing barriers to engagement in mental health services by meeting people in the communities "where they are" has potential to reach those who would be otherwise disengaged.

This study explores the potential of laundromats as a space to reach individuals with elevated social, mental health, and suicide risk.

Participants (N = 197) were recruited from over 50 laundromats across San Antonio, Texas. Rates of mental health conditions and suicide risk were compared to national estimates, and analyses were supplemented with bootstrapped samples.

The majority (60%) of participants indicated one or more financial need. Participants were significantly more likely to report poor/fair mental health and screen positive for suicidal ideation relative to the national average. In a multivariable logistic regression, suicidal ideation was related age, education and housing insecurity prior to the addition of mental health. Over 1/3 of participants indicated an interest in receiving behavioral health services at a laundromat.

Laundromat customers in San Antonio, Texas reported poorer mental health and elevated suicidal ideation relative to the national average. Current utilization of mental health services was low with many participants indicating an interest in receiving services at the laundromat, suggesting an opportunity for community intervention.