A subset of high-level of engagement where community members lead the design and/or implementation of mental health initiatives, which may or may not be supported by external professionals or researchers. The mental health or wellbeing initiatives (referred to as programmes) were categorised based on the level of community engagement. Community-engaged mental health and wellbeing initiatives in under-resourced settings have shown the potential to improve mental health outcomes and well-being when actively involving community members. Studies conducted in English language, involving community members in the initiatives’ design or implementation and targeting 1 or more mental health/wellbeing outcomes, were included. It addresses gaps in previous models including lack of community-based psychotherapeutic and social services, difficulty in addressing comorbidity of mental and physical conditions, and how workers interact with respect to referral and coordination of care.
When Is Community Support Most Effective?
Advocacy is crucial for creating awareness and promoting mental health issues within the community. There are various ways to engage, including volunteering, advocacy, and supporting local efforts. Community health initiatives help strengthen this resilience by fostering supportive networks, teaching coping strategies, and promoting healthy lifestyles. Stigma surrounding mental health can deter individuals from seeking help.
- A 2020 evaluation of CAPS III Brasilândia found that the services offered are consistent with a human rights and recovery-oriented approach.
- Adopting these practices within the community helps shift the focus of health from medical care to social determinants of health.
- Support groups enable individuals to share experiences, challenges, and coping strategies in a safe environment.
- Produced an area wellbeing report with professional assistance.
How Community Mental Health Initiatives Create Safe Spaces for Mental Health Support
Individuals experiencing mental health challenges, families, educators, health professionals, and entire communities see the positive impact. Just as a gardener needs the right tools to cultivate a successful garden, communities need adequate mental health resources to nurture the well-being of their members. From individuals struggling with mental health issues to their families and the community at large, the positive ripple effect is undeniable. Mental health initiatives not only aim to destigmatize mental health discussions but also provide tools and support where it’s most desperately needed. This review took a rigorous approach to finding twelve exemplar communities, which had successfully implemented community wellbeing initiatives.
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Working through and with communities may be the most effective way to achieve long-term, independent and sustainable change, particularly when behaviour change is needed . Short political timeframes mean interventions in particular places are often abandoned, then replaced, this loss of continuity impairs trust and limits effectiveness . This is a process of living well that supports positive psychological and physical wellness, underpinned by a theory of self-determination https://rb.gy/yew9me . Eight key principles allowed these initiatives to become established and operate successfully. After screening 8,972 titles, 745 abstracts and 188 full-texts, 12 exemplar initiatives were identified (39 related papers). Finally, enhancing collaboration among stakeholders, including non-profit organizations and advocacy groups, will be essential.
Technology has created new possibilities for building mental health communities that transcend geographic limitations. Public education campaigns and community dialogues about mental health play crucial roles in reducing stigma and increasing help-seeking behaviors. Organizations implementing comprehensive workplace mental health strategies report benefits including reduced absenteeism, decreased turnover, and improved productivity.
As discussed above, in this review, we use the wellbeing definition as postulated in Ryan’s theory of self-determination, which stands in the positive mental health domain . In this review, we examine the broader concept of community wellbeing initiatives by exploring the underlying sub-concepts. Thus for the purpose of this review, we have used the concept of eudemonic wellbeing to indicate positive mental health.
Second, a reliability verification of extraction by the 4 reviewers through a meeting was conducted following the extraction of 3 (10%) of the studies to ensure consistency. As part of these meetings, a consensus was reached to categorise the methodology of the included studies in line with the JBI categorisation of research designs to ensure consistency. Third, the title/abstract/keywords of the potentially eligible studies were screened independently by the 2 teams of reviewers (University of Technology Sydney and Mahidol University) in line with the identified inclusion and exclusion criteria.