Implementing a mental health ministry committee in faith-based organizations: the promoting emotional wellness and spirituality program

Soc Work Health Care. 2014;53(4):414-34. doi: 10.1080/00981389.2014.880391.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Black or African American / psychology*
  • Community-Based Participatory Research / methods
  • Community-Based Participatory Research / organization & administration
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / ethnology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / therapy*
  • Health Plan Implementation
  • Health Promotion / methods*
  • Health Promotion / organization & administration
  • Healthcare Disparities
  • Humans
  • Program Development / methods
  • Religion and Medicine*
  • Social Work / methods*
  • Spirituality*