Asset-based community mental health: an evidence-based support program by lay mental health ambassadors

ABSTRACT This study evaluates a support programme for community residents with depressive symptoms. One hundred and twenty-one psychiatric outpatients with depressive symptoms joined monthly support groups for 10 months and in between, attended 6 workshop sessions on specific topics. The support groups were run by lay mental health ambassadors recruited from faith communities in the same district of the clinics. Results reveal significant reduction of symptoms and increase of self-efficacy. Canonical functions are statistically significant and regression model accounted for a total of 39% and 40% variance for pre-group and post-group data, respectively. The asset-based approach to engage and build the capacity of partners such as the faith community appears to be effective. This study suggests new possibilities to support mental health recovery.