Promoting Mental Health in Low-Income Communities

A Community-Based Intervention Using Peer Support Networks

Abstract

This study evaluates a peer-support mental health intervention in a low-income urban neighborhood in Bandung, Indonesia. Targeting issues such as anxiety, depression, and social isolation, the program trained local volunteers as mental health facilitators who led group discussions, home visits, and referral services. Using pre- and post-intervention surveys, the study found notable improvements in emotional well-being and community connectedness among participants. Qualitative data also revealed increased mental health literacy and reduced stigma. The research emphasizes the value of peer-based models in resource-limited settings and calls for policy support to scale up community-driven mental health programs.