Community health workers cultivate resilience to bridge gaps in underserved communities

A community health worker (CHW) is an umbrella term used to encompass many job titles including community health representative, patient navigator, promotores de salud, community health navigators and many others.

According to The American Public Health Association, “[CHWs] are frontline public health workers who are trusted members of and/or have an unusually close understanding of the community served. This trusting relationship enables the worker to serve as a liaison/link/intermediary between health/social services and the community to facilitate access to services and improve the quality and cultural competence of service delivery.”

Their work in the community goes far beyond helping people access health services. They also work to provide referrals for benefit programs, provide translational services, conduct basic screenings and health assessments, and advocate for their community. Due to the shared lived experiences between CHWs and community members, it allows them to develop trust and rapport. While the role of a CHW can encompass many things, they are integral in strengthening underserved communities and fostering resiliency.

Val Sanchez, community outreach manager for ASU and Nury Stemple, research specialist for the Center for Resilient Communities, have worked as CHWs for over 20 years. They describe that the work takes humility, grace, compassion and resilience.

Sanchez describes resilience as, “digging deep and knowing that you have the grit, the guidance, and the perseverance to grow … Knowing those challenges will be there, and that you are not alone and that we were never alone.”

She attributes her commitment to service to her parents and grandparents who raised her with a deep care for others. Similarly, Stemple, who immigrated from Mexico at the age of 17, began her career supporting pregnant patients. She describes one of her most impactful jobs was as a domestic violence advocate.

In building up resiliency within communities, according to Sanchez, creating safe spaces and building trust are two of the most important steps. She explains that the goal of creating safe spaces is to listen, learn and share. Fostering that connection can take a long time.

“For some folks it could almost be instant, and for others it could take months and months, or even years. And so I think that is a really big piece in part that I've learned as a CHW is to have patience and humility,” Sanchez said.

Being there for the community requires humility, patience and compassion. But to best serve the community, CHWs also need to take care of themselves. When Stemple was starting her career, she was often dipping into her own resources to help support the community.

“If they don’t have housing. Sometimes I pay for three days in  the hotel or maybe they don’t have food. I went by myself and buy some food for the family and bring the food to the table of the family in need,” Stemple shared.

Working in underserved communities, you see a lot of pain and suffering,  according to Stemple, you just want to help these people. However, she notes that you have to watch over your own mental health.

As frontline health workers, hearing about the first-hand trauma experiences of people in their community may expose them to secondary trauma and affect their overall health and well-being, leading to burnout.

The role of community health workers is deeply rooted in empathy, advocacy, and compassion. Their unique role of serving the community that they belong to allows them to create trust and rapport, positioning them as vital liaisons between their community and essential health and social services. However, the emotional and physical toll of the job cannot be overlooked. As they continue to offer support and build resilience within their communities, it is crucial that they also receive the necessary support, training, and resources to protect and prioritize their own well-being.

For more information on supporting mental health for CHWs and the communities they serve, visit the CHW Trauma and Resiliency Toolkit developed by the Center for Resilient Communities.