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

1713 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This study is a cluster randomized controlled trial of a Latino church-based intervention in Los Angeles and Riverside Counties. This study aims to leverage the collective resources of Latino religious congregations and the National Alliance on Mental Illness to test the effectiveness of a multi-component intervention directed at reducing stigma, increasing mental health literacy, and improving access to mental health services.

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 data supports the effectiveness of the treatment NAMI FaithNet, NAMI Mental Health 101 for reducing mental health stigma?

Research shows that church-based interventions, like those developed by NAMI, can effectively reduce mental health stigma and improve access to mental health services by leveraging community and religious support, especially in culturally diverse communities. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the church-based intervention for reducing mental health stigma safe for participants?

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 any safety concerns or adverse effects for participants. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

How does the treatment NAMI FaithNet, NAMI Mental Health 101 differ from other treatments for mental health stigma?

This treatment is unique because it leverages church-based interventions to reduce mental health stigma, particularly in Latino and African American communities, by integrating mental health education and support within religious congregations. It focuses on culturally and faith-based tailored approaches, which are not typically part of standard mental health treatments. ^{1 9 10 11 12}

Research Team

Eunice C Wong

Principal Investigator

RAND

Eligibility Criteria

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

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

Treatment Details

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.

Participant Groups

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+

Findings from Research

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]

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A parish-based multilevel cluster randomized controlled trial to reduce stigma and mental health treatment disparities among Latino communities. [2023]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of Stigma and Discrimination Reduction Trainings Conducted Under the California Mental Health Services Authority: An Evaluation of the National Alliance on Mental Illness Adult Programs. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Reducing stigma related to mental disorders: initiatives, interventions, and recommendations for nursing. [2014]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mental health recovery and quilting: evaluation of a grass-roots project in a small, rural, Australian Christian church. [2014]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Religious Beliefs About Mental Illness Influence Social Support Preferences. [2015]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effectiveness of the NAMI Homefront Program for Military and Veteran Families: In-Person and Online Benefits. [2020]

7. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Three programs that use mass approaches to challenge the stigma of mental illness. [2022]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Development and evaluation of a webinar to reduce stigma toward people with serious mental illness. [2023]

9. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Quality Improvement of Pastoral Care for Major Depression in the Community of an African American Religious Organization. [2022]

10. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clergy's Viewpoint Change Toward Mental Health and Stigma on Mental Illness: A Short Course Training. [2022]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An intervention to reduce HIV-related stigma in partnership with African American and Latino churches. [2022]

12. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clergy's Beliefs About Mental Illness and Their Perception of Its Treatability: Experience from a Church-Based Prevention of Mother-to-Child HIV Transmission (PMTCT) Trial in Nigeria. [2019]