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

2021 ◽  
pp. 001789692098803
Author(s):  
Audrey M Pottinger ◽  
Nickiesha Passard ◽  
Angela Gordon Stair
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Parenting Practices ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Community Leaders ◽  
Mental Health Education ◽  
The Public ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Promote Mental Health

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.

scholarly journals Re-Oreintation of Nigerians Towards Mental Health: Its Counseling Implications

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (17) ◽  
pp. 302
Author(s):  
Bukoye Roseline Olufunke
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Mental Illness ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Problems ◽  
Mental Health Education ◽  
The Public

Mental health is a state of well-being which allows a better realisation of one's own potentials. With good mental health, individuals are able to cope productively with life situations. According to WHO (2002), hundreds of millions of people worldwide are affected by mental health problems. This led to their defection in terms of behavioural, neurological, physical, emotional, and substance use. It was discovered that about 36 million people worldwide are HIV positive, and about 20 million people have died from AIDS, tobacco, alcohol, amongst others. The use of hard drugs are discovered as potential addictive substance that have led to major health problems like heart diseases, stroke, cancer, liver diseases, fever, amongst others. Mental illness/problem occurs due to careless attitudes towards mental health education. Most middle and low income countries devote less than 1% of their health expenditure to mental health and mental health education thereby worsening the health condition of the citizens. This paper, therefore, sees it as point of urgency to re-orientate Nigerians towards mental health and its counseling implications. For its effectiveness, the roles of counseling cannot be over- emphasised. There is need for counsellors to inculcate into the public mental health skills, self-management skills, and self-descriptive culture through seminars and workshops. The Counsellor should bring to the awareness of the public information about their lifestyles regarding sleeping procedures, eating behaviour, nutrition, exercise, and stress management through enlightenment campaigns and medical programmes. Other recommendations include; the government in collaboration with the counsellors and NGOs should embark on comprehensive mental health problems preventive programmes. Also, mental health policies, legislation, community care giver facilities, and treatments for people with mental illness should be given proper attention.

Updating the Public Health and Mental Health Education Curriculum About Addictions During the COVID-19 Outbreak

2021 ◽  
Vol Publish Ahead of Print ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominikus David Biondi Situmorang ◽  
Caroline Lisa Setia Wati ◽  
Henny Christine Mamahit ◽  
Yohanes Markus Papu ◽  
Ifdil Ifdil
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Education Curriculum ◽  
Mental Health Education ◽  
The Public

scholarly journals The Relationship Between Positive Mental Health Literacy and Mental Well-Being Among Adolescents: Implications for School Health Services

2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanne N. Bjørnsen ◽  
Geir A. Espnes ◽  
Mary-Elizabeth B. Eilertsen ◽  
Regine Ringdal ◽  
Unni K. Moksnes
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Health Services ◽  
School Health ◽  
Mental Health Literacy ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Education ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
The Relationship

Mental health education is a central part of school nurses’ practice. Mental health literacy is an asset for health that educational initiatives can strengthen, and a significant determinant of mental health. This study was intended to examine the relationship between positive mental health literacy (PMeHL) and mental well-being to discuss its implications for school health services’ mental health education. The relationship was assessed using a multiple linear regression model controlling for relevant covariates. Data were derived from a cross-sectional school-based survey including 1,888 adolescents aged 15–21 years (response rate 97.3%). A weak gender difference was found in PMeHL. The regression model accounted for 41% of the variance in adolescents’ mental well-being; PMeHL was a significant explanatory variable of mental well-being. Accordingly, the current study found support for including PMeHL, or knowledge of how to obtain and maintain good mental health, as an integral component of school health services’ mental health education among adolescents.

scholarly journals A faith-based mind–body intervention to improve psychosocial well-being among rural adults

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 546-554
Author(s):  
Scherezade K Mama ◽  
Nishat Bhuiyan ◽  
Melissa J Bopp ◽  
Lorna H McNeill ◽  
Eugene J Lengerich ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Negative Affect ◽  
Health Outcomes ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Underserved Populations ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Mental Health Outcomes ◽  
Faith Based ◽  
Rural Adults

Abstract Churches are well positioned to promote better mental health outcomes in underserved populations, including rural adults. Mind–body (MB) practices improve psychological well-being yet are not widely adopted among faith-based groups due to conflicting religious or practice beliefs. Thus, “Harmony & Health” (HH) was developed as a culturally adapted MB intervention to improve psychosocial health in urban churchgoers and was adapted and implemented in a rural church. The purpose of this study was to explore the feasibility, acceptability, and efficacy of HH to reduce psychosocial distress in rural churchgoers. HH capitalized on an existing church partnership to recruit overweight or obese (body mass index [BMI] ≥25.0 kg/m2) and insufficiently active adults (≥18 years old). Eligible adults participated in an 8 week MB intervention and completed self-reported measures of perceived stress, depressive symptoms, anxiety, and positive and negative affect at baseline and postintervention. Participants (mean [M] age = 49.1 ± 14.0 years) were mostly women (84.8%), non-Hispanic white (47.8%) or African American (45.7%), high socioeconomic status (65.2% completed ≥bachelor degree and 37.2% reported an annual household income ≥$80,000), and obese (M BMI = 32.6 ± 5.8 kg/m2). Participants reported lower perceived stress (t = −2.399, p = .022), fewer depressive symptoms (t = −3.547, p = .001), and lower negative affect (t = −2.440, p = .020) at postintervention. Findings suggest that HH was feasible, acceptable, and effective at reducing psychosocial distress in rural churchgoers in the short-term. HH reflects an innovative approach to intertwining spirituality and MB practices to improve physical and psychological health in rural adults, and findings lend to our understanding of community-based approaches to improve mental health outcomes in underserved populations.

scholarly journals THE MENTAL HEALTH EDUCATION OF COLLEGE STUDENTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 39-42
Author(s):  
Ziwei Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
College Students ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Family Education ◽  
Self Awareness ◽  
Social Harmony ◽  
Mental Health Education ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Family

College Students’ mental health education has become the focus of the whole society, which affects the family and society, and is related to the growth of college students, family happiness and social harmony. In view of the mental health problems of college students, the article is based on the aspects of college students themselves, families, colleges and society, to explore the causes of the problems and make a verification analysis. Through strengthening college students’ self-awareness, improving the content and methods of family education, improving the mechanism of College Psychological education, and purifying the public opinion environment, it promotes the development of College Students’ mental health, and then cultivates a socialist society in China qualified builders of modernization.

Mental health: working from home and the use of technology

2021 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Newey
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Mental Health Education ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Human Contact ◽  
Mental Health Issues ◽  
As Stress ◽  
Hr Managers

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss why mental health education in the workplace is vital. The paper aims to give HR managers and directors an understanding of mental health education and advice on how to imbed a culture of mental health well-being into the workplace. Design/methodology/approach The feature identifies the issues faced in the UK’s workplace with mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety and depression. The research identifies much desktop research, as well as authors 20+ plus years’ experience of work, in the field as a qualified psychotherapist. The paper also addresses latest research that suggests employees are happier to turn to technology rather than human contact to address their mental health concerns. The feature was drafted during the Covid-19 pandemic when mental health issues were recorded at an all-time high. Findings Mental Health has become a major issue within the workplace, and much work has taken place to rid stigma of mental health issues. It is essential that industry embed mental health education into their organisations to create healthy futures for all. Employees want their organisations to offer support, preferably in an online, always available, service. Originality/value Although there’s much discussion and awareness of mental health issues, mental health education is rarely understood.

scholarly journals Gender Differences Influence Gender Equality Awareness, Self-Esteem, and Subjective Well-Being Among School-Age Children in China

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yifei Li ◽  
Man Zuo ◽  
Yirong Peng ◽  
Jie Zhang ◽  
Yiping Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Gender Equality ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Influential Factors ◽  
School Age ◽  
Subjective Well Being ◽  
Effective Response ◽  
Mental Health Education

The objective of this study was to investigate and analyze the status and influential factors of gender equality awareness, self-esteem, and subjective well-being in school-age boys and girls. The results can help schools and teachers provide more effective gender equality and mental health education. In the study, 284 valid questionnaires were collected from a total of 323 school-age boys and girls in the Hunan Province, China (effective response rate of 87.93%). The questionnaire covered gender equality awareness, self-esteem, and subjective well-being, with the influencing factors analyzed through multiple linear regression. There was a significant correlation among children’s gender equality awareness in all areas examined (family, occupation, and school), with both boys and girls having the lowest awareness of gender equality in occupational fields. The children’s self-esteem and subjective well-being were significantly correlated as well. Gender equality awareness, self-esteem, and subjective well-being among boys and girls reflected different influential factors. Androgynous traits (neither feminine nor masculine) were conducive to the development of gender equality awareness and self-esteem among the children. Therefore, schools and teachers need to provide gender equality and mental health education according to the specific psychological characteristics of each boy and girl.

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