A documented evaluation of primary prevention through consultation

Area of Science:

• Community psychology
• Mental health services research
• Organizational psychology

Background:

• Religious communities may face disruption during periods of change.
• Proactive mental health consultation can mitigate anticipated turmoil.
• Primary prevention strategies are crucial for community well-being.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of mental health consultation on a religious community.
• To assess changes in community support, well-being, and anxiety levels.
• To examine the long-term effects and consultee satisfaction.

Main Methods:

• Mental health consultation provided to an administrative group.
• Community member data collected pre-consultation, at two years, and four years post-consultation.
• Analysis of support, well-being, and anxiety trends, alongside consultee satisfaction.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in community support and well-being observed from 1977 to 1979 and 1977 to 1981.
• A decreasing trend in community anxiety levels in 1979 was sustained through 1981.
• High consultee satisfaction and positive outcomes from ongoing programs were reported.

Conclusions:

• Mental health consultation serves as an effective primary prevention strategy for religious communities.
• The intervention fostered sustained improvements in community members' mental health and social support.
• Positive consultee feedback and program continuation indicate the value of the consultation effort.