The efficacy of psycho-educational programs to change the perception of depression and treatment by African American women

The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of psycho-educational programs as a strategy to increase African American women's awareness and understanding of depression, reduce fear and stigma associated with depression, increase emotional support and promote the willingness to seek professional mental health services. An exploratory research study was conducted with 22 African American women who were between the ages of 25--65 years of age. A three hour psycho-educational seminar was conducted; participants completed a pre and post session sociodemographic form and a pre and post session Beck Depression Inventory-II. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of psycho-educational programs to raise awareness and increase knowledge, and to encourage professional mental health treatment. Relevance and efficacy of psycho-education programs has been studied with other illnesses such as schizophrenia, eating disorders, bipolar disorders, alcohol and drug abuse. Psycho-education has also played a major role in many group and family interventions. Few studies have examined the effectiveness of psycho-educational programs for depression, and no research studies on African Americans and depression, and specifically African American women. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of psycho-educational programs to raise a person's awareness and increase their knowledge of depression, reduce the myths surrounding depression and the mental health profession.