Community-Based Strategies for Promoting Mental Health in Low-Income Neighborhoods
Keywords:
Community mental health, low-income neighborhoods, participatory approachesAbstract
This study aimed to explore community-based strategies for promoting mental health in low-income neighborhoods in Tehran, with a focus on the lived experiences and perspectives of local residents, health workers, and community leaders. A qualitative research design was employed using semi-structured interviews with 28 participants purposively selected from low-income neighborhoods in Tehran, Iran. Participants included community health workers, local leaders, social service providers, and residents with experience in community mental health initiatives. Interviews were conducted in Persian and continued until theoretical saturation was reached. Transcripts were analyzed thematically using NVivo software, employing an inductive approach to identify key patterns, themes, and relationships. Three main themes emerged from the analysis: (1) Community Empowerment and Participation, highlighting the role of local leadership, peer support networks, and co-designed interventions; (2) Accessibility and Availability of Services, including proximity to care, affordability, integrated services, and mobile outreach; and (3) Social Support and Collective Well-being, emphasizing family involvement, neighborhood support systems, and culturally grounded healing practices. Participants consistently reported that community-based approaches fostered trust, reduced stigma, and addressed both psychological and structural determinants of mental health. Youth-focused programs and informal counseling were viewed as particularly effective in engaging underserved populations. Community-based strategies offer culturally relevant, accessible, and sustainable pathways to promote mental health in low-income urban neighborhoods. These findings underscore the need for locally adapted, participatory interventions that address both individual and community-level determinants of psychological well-being. Integrating mental health support into existing social structures, fostering peer and family engagement, and promoting community ownership are key to effective mental health promotion in marginalized urban settings.
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