Implementing a mental health ministry committee in faith-based organizations: the promoting emotional wellness and spirituality program.
Social workers have successfully collaborated with African-American faith-based organizations to improve health outcomes for numerous medical conditions. However, the literature on Faith-Based Health Promotion for major depression is sparse. Thus, the authors describe a program used to implement a Mental Health Ministry Committee in African-American churches. Program goals are to educate clergy, reduce stigma, and promote treatment seeking for depression. Key lessons learned are to initially form partnerships with church staff if there is not a preexisting relationship with the lead pastor, to utilize a community-based participatory approach, and to have flexibility in program implementation.
a Mental Health Association in New Jersey , Verona , New Jersey , USA.
Laverne
L
Williams
Robyn
R
Gorman
Sidney
S
Hankerson
D001741:Black or African American / Q000523:psychology*; D055812:Community-Based Participatory Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D006284:Health Plan Implementation; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012947:Social Work / Q000379:methods*; D029181:Spirituality