Back to Annual Meeting Page		American Public Health Association 133rd Annual Meeting & Exposition December 10-14, 2005 Philadelphia, PA

Abstract #105610

Diane Davis, MGA, MSN, Maternal and Family Health Administration, District of Columbia Department of Health, St. Elizabeth's Hospital Campus, 2700 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., SE Smith Center - 2 East, Washington, DC 20032, (202) 645-4184, diane.davis@dc.gov and Claudia Morris, CMJ Consulting, CMJ Consulting, 4118 10th St., NE, Washington, DC 20017.

Objective:

Provide participants with information about this culturally appropriate and cost-effective model for providing psychosocial support to hard-to-reach populations.

Setting:

The model presented is applicable in informal or community settings and targets at-risk/high-risk underserved minority women.

Background:

“House Parties” have played a supportive role in the lives of African Americans dating back to the days of the “Rent Parties” during the Harlem Renaissance. “Rent Parties” were a means of raising money to pay one's rent. In 1950-60's “house Parties” were a popular means of social support for African American. Both represent the African American communities' efforts to take care of its own needs.

Although depression cuts across all racial and economic strata, it is particularly high among minorities. In the mainstream of African American culture, to admit that one has a mental illness is at minimum an admission of weakness or worse yet, “that one is crazy.” Thus seeking out mental health services is “taboo.”

Method:

“The House Party” concept represents an African American community's efforts to restore wholeness and well being among residents. The methodology for the “House Parties” model involves identification of target population; identification of appropriate “consumer friendly” and accessible meeting location; assessment of participants need; curriculum development; program implementation and evaluation. Presentation will include a step-by-step description of planning and implementation process, sessions and samples of supporting materials/tools, and evaluation results.

Learning Objectives:

• · Identify barriers to low-income African American women seeking mental health services.
• · Describe steps involved in developing a culturally appropriate service model.
• · Describe a model for community-based support for women experiencing depression during and around pregnancy.
• · Identify the advantages of informal social support models.

Keywords: Women, Mental Illness

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

I wish to disclose that I have NO financial interests or other relationship with the manufactures of commercial products, suppliers of commercial services or commercial supporters.