Church-Based Interventions for Reducing Mental Health Stigma

Overseen By Eunice C Wong

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: RAND

Disqualifiers: Non-congregant

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial aims to reduce the stigma around mental health in Latino communities through church-based programs. It tests two programs, NAMI FaithNet and NAMI Mental Health 101, to determine if they improve understanding of mental health and access to services. Participants will begin these programs either immediately or after 12 months. Individuals who belong to a participating church in Los Angeles or Riverside Counties may be a good fit. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to contribute to important research that could enhance mental health support in the community.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that these interventions are safe for reducing mental health stigma?

Research has shown that NAMI FaithNet and NAMI Mental Health 101 are generally safe and well-received. These programs aim to educate and support people to reduce mental health stigma and improve understanding. Previous studies have found that similar NAMI programs, like Peer-to-Peer, not only help reduce stigma but also support recovery. No strong evidence indicates serious side effects from these educational programs. However, similar anti-stigma programs sometimes show weaker effects over time. Overall, participants can feel confident about the safety of these church-based programs. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Church-Based Interventions for Reducing Mental Health Stigma because they tackle mental health stigma in a unique way by using community-based programs. Unlike traditional treatments that focus on medication or individual therapy, these interventions—NAMI FaithNet and NAMI Mental Health 101—engage entire church communities to foster understanding and support. By leveraging the power of community and faith-based settings, these programs aim to create a more supportive environment for individuals dealing with mental health issues. This approach has the potential to reduce stigma on a broader scale and encourage more people to seek help.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for reducing mental health stigma?

This trial will compare the effectiveness of NAMI FaithNet and NAMI Mental Health 101 in reducing mental health stigma in church settings. Research has shown that both programs help reduce stigma and improve understanding of mental health issues. They have been effective in Hispanic communities, enhancing comprehension of mental health. By incorporating education with personal stories and interaction, participants engage and learn, leading to positive outcomes. These programs aim to make mental health topics less taboo and more familiar, facilitating help-seeking behavior. Evidence supports their effectiveness in community settings, like churches, by breaking down barriers to mental health care. ^{1 3 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Eunice C Wong

Principal Investigator

RAND

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for members of selected Latino churches in Los Angeles and Riverside Counties. It's designed to help those within the congregations who might be dealing with social stigma or issues related to seeking mental health treatment.

Inclusion Criteria

Congregant of selected intervention and control churches

Exclusion Criteria

Does not meet criteria above

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Intervention

Participants in intervention churches receive the NAMI Mental Health 101 and FaithNet interventions

6 months

Regular church-based sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in mental health service use and stigma

6 months

Assessments at 6-month and 12-month follow-ups

Wait-list Control Intervention

Wait-list control churches receive the NAMI Mental Health 101 and FaithNet interventions after the 12-month follow-up

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• NAMI FaithNet
• NAMI Mental Health 101

Trial Overview The study tests a church-based program using NAMI Mental Health 101 and NAMI FaithNet resources. The goal is to see if these interventions can reduce stigma, boost understanding of mental health, and improve access to care among Latinos.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: NAMI Mental Health 101 and NAMI FaithNet Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Mental Health 101 and FaithNet

Group II: Wait-list Control Active Control 1 Intervention

After the 12-month follow-up, wait-list control churches will be provided with the opportunity to receive Mental Health 101 and NAMI FaithNet interventions.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

RAND

Lead Sponsor

Trials

145

Recruited

617,000+

National Alliance on Mental Illness California

Collaborator

Trials

1

Recruited

1,700+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Latino communities in the U.S. face significant mental health treatment disparities due to factors like stigma and limited mental health literacy, but they often turn to religious congregations for support.

A new study involving 1400 participants from 14 parishes will evaluate a parish-based intervention by NAMI and the Diocese of San Bernardino aimed at reducing stigma and improving mental health literacy, potentially enhancing access to mental health services for Latino parishioners.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A parish-based multilevel cluster randomized controlled trial to reduce stigma and mental health treatment disparities among Latino communities. Wong, EC., Torres, VN., Martinez, MO., et al.[2023]

Citations

1. jamanetwork.com jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2829229

Interventions to Reduce Mental Health Stigma in Young ... These findings suggest that interventions to reduce mental health stigma among youth are beneficial in the short term.

2. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-1-2020-f1c5a

Church-Based Interventions for Reducing Mental Health ... The studies reviewed focus on the effectiveness of NAMI programs in reducing mental health stigma and improving mental health literacy, but they do not report ...

3. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9918710/

A parish-based multilevel cluster randomized controlled trial to ... The parish-based intervention will feature two NAMI programs: Mental Health 101 (MH101) and FaithNet. Both involve contact-based education components. Contact- ...

4. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/396955132_Cluster-Randomized_Trial_of_a_Multilevel_Parish-Based_Intervention_to_Improve_Mental_Health_Literacy_and_Reduce_Stigma_in_Hispanic_Communities

(PDF) Cluster-Randomized Trial of a Multilevel Parish ... Cluster-Randomized Trial of a Multilevel Parish-Based Intervention to Improve Mental Health Literacy and Reduce Stigma in Hispanic Communities.

5. nami.org nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/DeLuca_ETS-Evidence_2019-Free-Access_1.pdf

©American Psychological Association, 2020. This paper is ... Relatively brief programs such as ETS appear to be a practical vehicle for stigma reduction. Future research is warranted on longer-term programs and adolescent ...

6. nami.org nami.org/get-involved/nami-faithnet/

NAMI FaithNet NAMI FaithNet is an interfaith resource network of NAMI members, friends, clergy and congregations of all faith traditions who wish to encourage faith ...

7. nami.org nami.org/about-mental-illness/research/research-on-nami-programs/

Research on NAMI Programs A study led by Dr. Kristin Kosyluk showed that NAMI's Peer-to-Peer program decreased stigma regarding mental health conditions and improved recovery outcomes ...

8. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2020.569539/full

A Call to Action. A Critical Review of Mental Health Related ... Evaluations of anti-stigma programs are found to have weak- to no significant long-term effects, and serious concerns have been raised over their possible ...