A community based logic model for child mental health promotion in a refugee setting

This presentation describes a process leading to the development of a logic model for child mental health promotion using a participatory approach. The research was conducted in a Palestinian refugee camp in Beirut, Lebanon. First, a needs assessment, including quantitative and qualitative data collection was carried out with children, parents and teachers. Findings were disseminated to camp non-governmental organizations that work with youth and children. Consensus in this meeting on the need for intervention resulted in the formation of a Community Youth Committee (CYC). Since its inception, the CYC has been involved in all aspects of the logic model development and intervention planning. The second phase was problem identification of a priority health issue and analysis of determinants. Five main health or social issues where identified: violence, mental health, school drop out, tobacco use, and drug use. The main health outcome identified was mental well being of children aged 10-14 years. Intermediate outcomes identified were determinants such as improved communication skills, improved problem solving skills, improved relationship with peers, parents, and teachers, improved self esteem, increased attachment to school, etc. The final phase involved development of an intervention in line with identified determinants based on a review of evidence based interventions. The process was iterative and involved contribution from the Community youth Committee which resulted in a more grounded depiction of the pathways of influence. We recommend the development of a logic frame to guide intervention planning, implementation, and evaluation for child mental health promotion. Such method ensured that the developed plan is in line with community expectations for change in addition it provided a framework that outlines the process and theory of change Such an approach is especially relevant in a refugee setting because it is participatory. More importantly, it ensures that an intervention is more relevant to children's needs, feasible for implementation, and likely sustainable if the evaluation indicates effectiveness.