title: Addressing Behavioral Health Disparities for Somali Immigrants Through Group Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Led by Community Health Workers.
abstract: To test the feasibility and acceptability of implementing an evidence-based, peer-delivered mental health intervention for Somali women in Minnesota, and to assess the impact of the intervention on the mental health of those who received the training. In a feasibility study, 11 Somali female community health workers were trained to deliver an 8-session cognitive behavioral therapy intervention. Each of the trainers recruited 5 participants through community outreach, resulting in 55 participants in the intervention. Self-assessed measures of mood were collected from study participants throughout the intervention, and focus groups were conducted. The 55 Somali women who participated recorded significant improvements in mood, with self-reported decreases in anxiety and increases in happiness. Focus group data showed the intervention was well received, particularly because it was delivered by a fellow community member. Participants reported gaining skills in problem solving, stress reduction, and anger management. Participants also felt that the intervention helped to address some of the stigma around mental health in their community. Delivery of cognitive behavioral therapy by a community health workers offered an acceptable way to build positive mental health in the Somali community.
authors.affiliation: Program in Health Disparities, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA. rjpratt@umn.edu.
authors.forename: Rebekah
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-3561-8276
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pratt
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Minnesota, 717 Delaware Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
authors.forename: Nimo
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ahmed
authors.affiliation: People's Centre Health Service, 425 20th Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN, 55454, USA.
authors.forename: Sahra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noor
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, University of Minnesota, 308 SE Harvard Street, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Hiba
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sharif
authors.affiliation: Powell Center for Women's Health, University of Minnesota, 420 Delaware St SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Raymond
authors.affiliation: Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, 1 Lilybank Gardens, Glasgow, G12 8RZ, Scotland, UK.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D001007:Anxiety / Q000208:ethnology; D015928:Cognitive Behavioral Therapy / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003150:Community Health Workers / Q000458:organization & administration*; D054242:Emigrants and Immigrants / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006240:Happiness; D006801:Humans; D007514:Islam; D008603:Mental Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D008910:Minnesota / Q000453:epidemiology; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000208:ethnology; D057545:Social Stigma; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology
keywords: Community based; Community health worker; Disparities; Immigrant; Mental health; Somali