Improving mental health through community action

This article reviews briefly some of the theoretical ideas and empirical findings which support the notion that societal processes that produce stress may lead to psychiatric disorder. Based on this, a conceptual model for improving mental health through community action is outlined. A case report is then given describing one effort to apply the model in an urban mental health center. Characteristics of the model are thus clarified and illustrated. Next steps are then suggested whereby the effectiveness of this approach to mental health through community action can be further developed and evaluated.