The NOTTC

Community Mental Health Program Development Activities

Analyzing community needs: THE "BUT WHY" TECHNIQUE

Here's how it works. A group examines a community problem by asking what caused it. Each time
someone gives an answer, the "asker" continues to probe, mostly by asking "But why?" or "How could
that have been prevented."

Example:
Too many (too few) people are ________. First, invite people who are both affected by the
problem and are in a position to contribute to
Q: But why? the solution to brainstorm possible causes. The
A. Because... more representative the working group is, the
Q: But why? more likely it is for the root causes to be
A. Because... uncovered.

Q: Could that have been prevented? The working group should then examine a
A. Yes community problem, such as substance abuse or
Q: How? violence, by asking what caused it. Each time
someone gives an answer, the group asks, "But
Q: But why? why?" Here's an example:
A. Because...
Q. But why?
A. Because...
Q But why?
(and so forth)

A child has an infected foot. In this example, the "But why?" analysis leads to
at least two very different conclusions. The
Q: But why? criterion for choice between them is to look into
A. She stepped on broken glass while the environment of each one. Many solutions
walking. may apply to your problem, so it's up to you to
Q: Could that have been prevented? find the one that fits it better. The "But why?"
A. Yes. analysis by itself doesn't lead automatically to
the best solution. It just points out many paths
Q: How? you may take
A. She could have been wearing shoes.
Q: But why doesn't the child have shoes? Source:
A. Because the family can't afford shoes. Lopez, C. (2018). Analyzing root causes of problems:
the "but why?" technique. The Community Toolbox.
Q. But why? Retrieved from: https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-
contents/analyze/analyze-community-problems-and-
A. The father or mother has no job.
solutions/root-causes/main
Q. But why?
(and so forth)

1 Compiled by the National OT Training Center (Cruz et al., 2018)

 The NOTTC
Community Mental Health Program Development Activities

 Seeking a Good Fit: Core Value Self-Assessment

Having a fresh awareness of our core values initiates the development of a
firm foundation for a community mental health program. Use the following
exercise to examine those core values that drive your passion for your work
and personal mission.

2 Compiled by the National OT Training Center (Cruz et al., 2018)

 The NOTTC
Community Mental Health Program Development Activities

What is your population or area of interest, as a practitioner?

3 Compiled by the National OT Training Center (Cruz et al., 2018)

 The NOTTC
Community Mental Health Program Development Activities

 Seeking a Good Fit: The Needs Assessment

Consider the following prompts and questions.

1. What need have you seen within your community or in its service
organizations?

2. Brainstorm: Make a list of community organizations through which you

might help deal with this gap.

a. Public

b. Private

c. Faith-based

d. Youth oriented

e. Housing

3. How would fulfilling this gap with the services of OT benefit:

 The organization

 The population the organization serves

 The community as a whole

 The profession of OT

4 Compiled by the National OT Training Center (Cruz et al., 2018)

 The NOTTC
Community Mental Health Program Development Activities

4. Reflect on the cultural and sociopolitical realities of your communities.

 What kinds of barriers and supports exist? What road blocks have
you faced in the past?

5. For the organizations you identified, and given the cultural and
sociopolitical realities of your community, how might you ensure that you
are using a participatory approach toward partnership development?

6. What strategies will help you gain entry?

7. Intervention ideas: explore opportunities for consultation, advocacy,

direct service
 Consider community targets (population, organization)

 Consider community needs (service or resource gaps)

5 Compiled by the National OT Training Center (Cruz et al., 2018)

 The NOTTC
Community Mental Health Program Development Activities

8. Use the core values that you identified above to write a value / mission
statement of how you could potentially benefit the organization or community
through filling the gap you identified earlier.

Scratchpad
Brainstorm opportunities to nest service, teaching, and research.

Teaching: Service Research Grant Funding

Learning Activities Opportunities Opportunities

6 Compiled by the National OT Training Center (Cruz et al., 2018)