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McCarty B, Hanlen-Rosado E, Taylor J, Yang E, Corneli A, Curlin F. The Opioid Epidemic and Faith-Based Responses in Southern Appalachia, USA: An Exploration of Factors for Successful Cross-Sector Collaboration. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2024:10.1007/s10943-024-02060-1. [PMID: 38825606 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-024-02060-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to identify factors for successful cross-sector collaboration with faith-based responses to the opioid epidemic in southern Appalachia. In-depth interviews were conducted with representatives from organizations responding to the opioid epidemic (N = 25) and persons who have experienced opioid dependency (N = 11). Stakeholders perceived that collaboration is hindered by stigma, poor communication, and conflicting medical and spiritual approaches to opioid dependency. Collaborations are facilitated by cultivating compassion and trust, sharing information along relational lines, and discerning shared commitments while respecting different approaches. The study concludes with theoretical and practical implications for both religious leaders and potential cross-sector collaborators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett McCarty
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA.
- Divinity School, Duke University, 407 Chapel Drive, Duke Box #90968, Durham, NC, 27708-0968, USA.
| | - Emily Hanlen-Rosado
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Jamilah Taylor
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Emmy Yang
- School of Medicine, University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Amy Corneli
- Department of Population Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
| | - Farr Curlin
- Divinity School, Duke University, 407 Chapel Drive, Duke Box #90968, Durham, NC, 27708-0968, USA
- Trent Center for Bioethics, Humanities, and History of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
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Hong B, Scribner S, Downs D, Jackson-Beavers R, Wright T, Orson W, Rice B, Wilson K, Poirier R. The Saint Louis bridges program: A mental health network of more than one hundred churches and the mental health community. J Natl Med Assoc 2024; 116:16-23. [PMID: 38065783 DOI: 10.1016/j.jnma.2023.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 10/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
This article describes the history and development of a faith-based mental health network of over one hundred Black churches in North St Louis City and County. The Bridges to Care and Recovery (BCR) program is a joint effort of the Black faith community, three community hospitals, local universities, a school of medicine and funding from the city /state departments of mental health. The mission of BCR is to improve the fragmented mental health services to the Black community and to address the stigma of mental illness. This innovative program provides a blueprint for other metropolitan areas to emulate. The present paper is a detailed description of the key elements and services of the Bridges program.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barry Hong
- Washington University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110-1010, USA.
| | - Susan Scribner
- Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis, 2 Campbell Plaza, St. Louis, Missouri, 63139-1779, USA
| | - Dana Downs
- Washington University School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110-1010, USA
| | - Rose Jackson-Beavers
- Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis, 2 Campbell Plaza, St. Louis, Missouri, 63139-1779, USA
| | - Tamela Wright
- Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis, 2 Campbell Plaza, St. Louis, Missouri, 63139-1779, USA
| | - Wendy Orson
- Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis, 2 Campbell Plaza, St. Louis, Missouri, 63139-1779, USA
| | - Booker Rice
- New Horizon Seventh Day Christian Church, 206 Emerling Drive, St. Louis, Missouri, 63121, USA
| | - Karl Wilson
- Behavioral Health Network of Greater St. Louis, 2 Campbell Plaza, St. Louis, Missouri, 63139-1779, USA
| | - Rob Poirier
- Washington University School of Medicine Department of Emergency Medicine, 660 South Euclid Avenue, St. Louis, Missouri, 63110-1010, USA
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Marin DB, Karol AB, Sharma V, Wetmore J, Costello Z, Henry B, Robinson M, Thompson L, Peña I, Jandorf L. M.I.C.A.H. Project HEAL: Sustainability of a Faith-Based Community Health Advisor Training Program in Urban Underserved Communities in the USA. JOURNAL OF RELIGION AND HEALTH 2022; 61:2527-2538. [PMID: 34751869 DOI: 10.1007/s10943-021-01453-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Faith-based organizations (FBOs) can play an important role in improving health outcomes. Lay community health advisors (CHAs) are integral to these efforts. This paper assesses the sustainability of a CHA training program for congregants in African-American and Latino FBOs and subsequent implementation of educational workshops. The program is unique in that a health care chaplain in an academic medical center was central to the program's development and implementation. Forty-eight CHAs in 11 FBOs were trained to teach workshops on cardiovascular health, mental health, diabetes, and smoking cessation. Two thousand four hundred and forty-four participants attended 70 workshops. This program has the potential to be a model to educate individuals and to address health inequities in underserved communities. Health care chaplains in other medical centers may use this as a model for enhancing community engagement and education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah B Marin
- Center for Spirituality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA.
| | - Alex B Karol
- Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Vansh Sharma
- Center for Spirituality and Health, Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - John Wetmore
- Department of Population Health and Health Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Zorina Costello
- Center for Spirituality and Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Brittney Henry
- Department of Population Health and Health Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
| | - Mimsie Robinson
- Bethel Gospel Assembly, 2-26 East 120th Street, New York, NY, 10035, USA
| | - Linda Thompson
- Health Ministry Leader, Abyssinian Baptist Church, 132 Odell Clark Place, New York, NY, 10030, USA
| | - Israel Peña
- Department of Psychology, Boricua College, Bronx, NY, 10451, USA
- The FLOW Kingdom Ministries, 901 East Tremont Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10460, USA
| | - Lina Jandorf
- Department of Population Health and Health Policy, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1 Gustave Levy Place, New York, NY, 10029, USA
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Clergy Perceptions of Mental Illness and Confronting Stigma in Congregations. RELIGIONS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/rel12121110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Mental illness and stigma are key concerns in congregations and represent important threats to community health. Clergies are considered influential in how congregants think about and respond to mental health issues, especially in African American congregations. In-depth interviews with 32 African American and White clergies were conducted to understand their unique perspectives on mental health and how they interact with their congregations based on those perspectives. Findings include six themes related to mental health stigma, namely, holistic definitions of health; African Americans and different conceptions of mental health (only reported by African American clergies); code words and language; depression as a special case; perceptions of mental health counseling and treatment; and clergy strategies for addressing mental health stigma. The clergies in this study recognized their influence on ideas related to mental health in their congregations, and most expressed active efforts toward discussing mental health and reducing stigma.
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Bhuiyan N, McNeill LH, Bopp M, Downs DS, Mama SK. Fostering spirituality and psychosocial health through mind-body practices in underserved populations. Integr Med Res 2021; 11:100755. [PMID: 34354922 PMCID: PMC8322296 DOI: 10.1016/j.imr.2021.100755] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2020] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Background This study examined changes in spirituality and psychosocial outcomes among African American and rural adults participating in a culturally-adapted mind-body intervention. Methods African American (n = 22) and rural (n = 38) adults in Harmony & Health attended mind-body sessions twice a week for eight weeks and completed questionnaires on spirituality and psychosocial distress at baseline and post-intervention. Linear regression and repeated measures analyses were used to examine associations between intervention attendance and spirituality. Results Attendance was significantly associated with increased spirituality (β=0.168, p = 013). Repeated measures analyses revealed a significant three-way interaction between attendance, spirituality, and study site (F(9,31)=2.891, p = 013). Urban African American participants who attended ≥75% of sessions reported greater increases in spirituality. Conclusion Findings suggest that mind-body practices may foster spirituality in urban African American adults. Additional adaptations are needed to strengthen spirituality in rural residents and to improve psychosocial health and wellbeing in this underserved population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nishat Bhuiyan
- College of Health Solutions, Arizona State University, Phoenix, AZ, United States
| | - Lorna H. McNeill
- Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
| | - Melissa Bopp
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
| | - Danielle Symons Downs
- Department of Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Development, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, United States
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA, United States
| | - Scherezade K. Mama
- Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, United States
- Corresponding author at: Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1400 Pressler St., Unit 1440, Houston, TX 77030, United States.
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