Using participatory action research to reimagine community mental health services in Colombia: a mixed-method study protocol

IntroductionMental healthcare systems are challenged by how they hear and respond to what marginalised communities experience as drivers of mental distress. In Colombia, this challenge intersects with wider challenges facing post-conflict reconstruction. Our pilot study will explore the feasibility...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BMJ open 2022-12, Vol.12 (12), p.e069329-e069329
Main Authors: Burgess, Rochelle, Dedios Sanguineti, María Cecilia, Maldonado-Carrizosa, Darío, Fonseca, Laura, Vera San Juan, Norha, Lucumí, Diego, González-Gort, Mónica, Melgar, Mónica Carreño, Gaviria, María Fanny, Tovar, Diego Ferney, Jovchelovitch, Sandra
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Action research
Co-design
Collaboration
Colombia
Community
Community health care
Community Mental Health Services
Coronaviruses
COVID-19
Depression & mood disorders
Economic conditions
Global Health
Health services
Health Services Research
Humans
Intervention
Medical research
Mental depression
Mental disorders
MENTAL HEALTH
Mental health care
Mixed methods research
Pandemics
Participatory research
Pilot Projects
Polyesters
Poverty
PUBLIC HEALTH
Research Design
Rural areas
Unemployment
Well being
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Summary:IntroductionMental healthcare systems are challenged by how they hear and respond to what marginalised communities experience as drivers of mental distress. In Colombia, this challenge intersects with wider challenges facing post-conflict reconstruction. Our pilot study will explore the feasibility and acceptability of a participatory approach to developing community-led participatory interventions for community mental health systems strengthening and mental health improvement, in two sites in Caquetá, Colombia.Methods and analysisThe project is divided into three distinct phases aligned with community participatory action research cycles: diagnostic, intervention and evaluation. This allows us to use a participatory approach to design a community-led, bottom-up intervention for mental health systems strengthening and the promotion of mental health and well-being.The diagnostic phase explores local understandings of mental health, mental distress and access to mental health services from community members and health providers. The intervention stage will be guided by a participatory Theory of Change process. Community priorities will inform the development of a participatory, learning and action (PLA) informed group intervention, with a community linkage forum. The pilot of the PLA intervention will be evaluated using MRC process evaluation guidelines.Ethics and disseminationThis project has received ethical approval from two sources. Universidad de Los Andes (2021–1393) and the University College London (16127/005). Dissemination of findings will include academic publications, community forums, policy briefs and visual media (cartoons, pod casts and short films).
ISSN:2044-6055
2044-6055
DOI:10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069329