Strengthening Capacities: Community Mental Health

Community Mental Health Workshop in Colombia

In conjunction with the Psychiatry Department of Javeriana University, we offered a two-day workshop in August 2022 in Bogotá, Colombia, titled: Working with communities; Community mental health practices and initiatives. Aimed as an introductory space around community mental health, we combined theoretical and practical elements, with a strong emphasis on how to work with communities.

We started by sharing what characterises community mental health, such as having the main focus on communities, rather than on individuals, as well as the active role of communities defining language and methods. This was followed by an explanation of our development approach, clarifying how we work in partnership with clinical specialists at all times. We presented six concepts to describe the development approach: human rights; awareness; livelihoods; community engagement; equality and interculturality.

Having introduced those foundations, we then presented the following four different categories of community mental health, and examples for each:

  • Community-driven initiatives in response to a specific problem
  • Initiatives that offer ways to access support mechanisms that do not require to show up at a clinic in the first place
  • Initiatives aimed at raising awareness and knowledge exchange
  • Initiatives focused on increasing the reach or coverage of services

This was an interesting way of encouraging a group analysis about the possibilities and limitations of different models and initiatives. Also, the Facilitation Mosaic was one of the tools shared with participants, as a way of presenting lessons learned on how we can work with communities. Finally, participants worked in groups to design a community mental health project or initiative, working out the Theory of Change and Logic Model.

It was an enriching experience to have participants from different disciplines and backgrounds. Based on this experience we are planning to launch a Community Mental Health Diploma with Javeriana University during the first semester of 2023. Stay tuned for more information!