Designing a Community-Based Mental Health Promotion Programme for Rural Communities in Plateau State

Mental health services in rural North Central Nigeria are severely limited, and community-based promotion approaches that leverage existing community structures offer a viable strategy for addressing the mental health gap in the absence of specialist services. This study designed a community-based mental health promotion programme for rural communities in Plateau State. A programme design methodology integrating formative research, stakeholder co-design, and expert validation was employed. Formative research involved focus group discussions with 48 community members from Barkin Ladi and Riyom LGAs, assessing mental health perceptions, locally recognised mental health conditions, trusted community gatekeepers, and preferred communication channels. Key informant interviews were conducted with traditional healers, religious leaders, and community health workers. The designed programme encompasses five components: community mental health literacy sessions delivered through religious institutions and community groups, a community health worker-led mental health first aid training module, a peer support network for individuals with common mental disorders, a structured referral pathway to government mental health facilities in Jos, and a programme monitoring and community feedback system. Materials are designed in Hausa and Berom languages. Expert review by eight community mental health and community health promotion specialists confirmed the programme's contextual appropriateness and operational feasibility. The study recommends a 12-month pilot across four communities in Barkin Ladi LGA with qualitative and quantitative outcome evaluation.

Keywords: mental health promotion, community-based programme, Plateau State, rural communities, North Central Nigeria