Development of a mental health awareness and stigma reduction intervention for Black faith communities.

INTERVENTION: The study uses a mixed methods approach. A total of 80 participants from four Black Majority Churches (BMC) in South London will be contacted. Parallel‐group randomisation of the participants will be at an individual level to either an intervention group (who will participate in the 10‐week Mental Health Awareness Course intervention) or to a waiting list control group (who will receive the same intervention 8 weeks after the intervention group). Outcomes for both arms will be collected at baseline, post‐intervention and at 4 weeks follow up. In addition, focus group discussions will be conducted with participants in the intervention group, a week following the end of the 10‐week course, to investigate the acceptability, potential benefits and appropriateness of the mental health awareness course, and to explore views on whether the groups improved trust in mental health services and in help‐seeking among members of the Black community. CONDITION: Prevention of mental health difficulties in Black communities ; Mental and Behavioural Disorders PRIMARY OUTCOME: The feasibility and acceptability of the intervention measured by the number of participants who consent to participate and complete the 10‐week intervention SECONDARY OUTCOME: ; Measured at baseline, post‐intervention and 4 weeks follow up:; 1. Knowledge related to mental illness measured by the Mental Health Knowledge Schedule (MAKS); 2. Attitudes to people with mental illness measured using the Community Attitudes toward the Mentally Ill (CAMI) scale 26‐item version; 3. Stigma towards NHS care measured using the Reported and Intended Behaviour Scale (RIBS); INCLUSION CRITERIA: 1. BMC participants: adults aged 18 or over who are members of, or affiliated with, a Black majority or a Black‐led Church based in Southwark or Lambeth and who identify as being from a Black African or Caribbean group 2. Participants will need to have an adequate understanding of English to participate in the intervention and the assessments 3. All participants will be required to give valid written, informed consent