title: Joy of living: a community-based mental health promotion program for African American elders.
abstract: African American elders are often acknowledged for their resilience in overcoming discrimination. Because of their unique historical experience, many have relied upon family support and spirituality to address mental health problems and have shunned professional mental health services. Despite the strengths of African American elders, there are mental health needs that require professional intervention. This article specifically discusses a mental health promotion program sponsored by the Mental Health Association of the District of Columbia. It provides a description of the program and an evaluation of its outcomes. An analysis of pre and post intervention evaluations (n = 228) shows success of the intervention in raising participant awareness of normal and abnormal mental health as well as resources available to them.
authors.forename: Sandra Edmonds
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Crewe
mesh_terms: D001741:Black or African American / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003156:Community Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004219:District of Columbia; D017144:Focus Groups; D006240:Happiness; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D011287:Prejudice; D015397:Program Evaluation; D040241:Social Marketing; D012949:Social Work, Psychiatric / Q000379:methods*; D029181:Spirituality