Using faith-based organisations to promote mental health education to underserved populations in Jamaica

Bibliographic Data

ID21323749
AuthorsAudrey M Pottinger (0000-0003-0990-3591, Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Faculty of Medical Sciences, The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica, corresponding author), Nickiesha Passard (University of Technology), Nickiesha N Passard (0000-0001-5973-1439, University of Technology, Jamaica), Angela Gordon Stair (The University Health Centre at The University of the West Indies, Mona, Jamaica)
Year2021
Volume80
Issue4
Pages461-471
Publication date2021-06-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueHealth Education Journal (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0017-8969 • E-ISSN: 1748-8176
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/0017896920988036
OpenAlexW3123093195
LanguageEN
Citations received3
References cited39

Objective: The under-utilisation of mental health services by populations because of inadequate mental health education by community leaders and the public is of concern. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of brief 1-day workshops in educating the public about mental health. Design: Quantitative pre–post evaluation. Setting: Community-based mental health workshops in urban Jamaica. Method: A survey on awareness of mental health resources was completed by 39 community leaders. In addition, 204 participants, who attended three 1-day public educational workshops, anonymously completed evaluations of workshop objectives including met expectations, stimulated learning, and workshop strengths and weaknesses. Of these participants, 157 completed pre–post workshop evaluations to identify subjective improvements in knowledge and competency. Results: Almost 60% of community leaders reported being in regular contact with persons who expressed poor emotional well-being, but typically only referred 25%–30% for mental health counselling. The workshops on mental health education, facilitated by faith-based organisations, were well subscribed by the public and most participants rated them favourably. Significantly more participants reported satisfaction with the workshops on Parenting Practices compared to Workplace Wellness ( p < .05). Wilcoxon Signed Rank tests revealed higher mean scores overall on post-workshop evaluation indicating gain in knowledge and competency; mean pre-test score, 3.26 (0.77), and post-test, 4.38 (0.48), p < .000. Conclusion: One-day mental health education workshops met public expectations and resulted in subjective gains in knowledge and competency. Research is needed to clarify the specific benefits of using public education workshops supported by faith-based organisations to promote mental health

Family medicine · Medical education · Mental health · Mental health literacy · Mental illness · Psychiatry · Public health · Test (biology) · Food Security and Health in Diverse Populations · Medicine · Mental Health Treatment and Access · Nursing · Psychology · Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology · Gerontology