Public health programs are the cornerstone of healthy communities. They address a wide range of issues, from infectious diseases to chronic illnesses and mental health concerns. The success of these programs hinges not only on medical expertise but also on a deep understanding of the communities they serve. Community psychology offers a unique perspective that bridges the gap between individual well-being and public health initiatives.
Community psychology is a branch of psychology that focuses on the mental health and well-being of populations within the context of their communities. It goes beyond individual psychology by considering the social, cultural and environmental factors that influence mental health and behaviors. Community psychologists work to promote mental health awareness to prevent unchecked problems at the community level, encouraging environments that support overall well-being.
The online Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Psychology – Community Psychology program from Southeastern Oklahoma State University provides students with the knowledge and expertise needed to make a difference in public health.
The Power of Collaboration
Community psychology plays an important role in enhancing public health programs in several ways:
- Identifying needs. Community psychologists use research skills to identify specific needs and challenges within a community. They conduct needs assessments, gather data through surveys and interviews, and analyze existing statistics to understand the unique demographic and cultural factors at play.
- Developing culturally responsive programs. Public health programs designed without considering the cultural context of the community they serve are less likely to be successful. Community psychologists work with diverse populations, ensuring programs are culturally sensitive and address the community’s specific needs and belief systems.
- Encouraging community engagement. Successful public health programs require active participation from community members. Community psychologists utilize their expertise in advocacy, communication and program development to encourage community ownership and encourage participation in public health initiatives.
- Promoting prevention. In community psychology, preventing problems before they happen is a core principle for promoting public health. By focusing on risk factors within the community — such as poverty, lack of access to healthcare or social isolation — community psychologists help prevent mental health problems and promote overall well-being.
The Society for Community Research and Action offers its Community Psychology Practice Competencies, which “were developed with the intent to communicate the nature and contributions of community psychology practice to prospective students and psychological colleagues…” They encompass the following focus areas:
- Foundational principles: These include elements like ecological perspectives, sociocultural and cross-cultural competence, community inclusion and more.
- Community program development and management: This involves program development, implementation and management as well as prevention and health promotion.
- Community and organizational capacity building: These efforts involve community leadership, group processes and the development of resources and the organization.
- Community social change: This means community collaboration, development, advocacy, policy analysis and education.
- Community research: This involves research and evaluation processes built on scientific evidence.
Promoting Preventative Measures in Community Psychology
Community psychology emphasizes a preventative approach to public health with three core types of prevention:
- This focuses on preventing problems from occurring in the first place. For example, promoting healthy lifestyle choices, educational programs on mental health awareness or community initiatives that foster social connection.
- This aims to identify and address problems early on to prevent them from worsening. Examples include screening programs for mental health issues, early intervention services for at-risk youth or support groups for people experiencing challenges.
- This focuses on managing existing problems and mitigating their impact. This includes providing treatment services for mental health conditions, rehabilitation programs and support services for individuals managing chronic illnesses.
Professionals in the field must note that while the three above preventative approaches to public health do act as ways to identify potential impact for community programs, the field of community psychology aims to build from it. Community psychology works to examine community strengths, empower community members and organizations and build community capacity.
How Southeastern Oklahoma State University Can Help
Southeastern’s online B.A. in Psychology – Comprehensive program includes coursework to prepare graduates to be effective. The Community Evaluation and Training course explores the theories, strategies and tools that guide the development and evaluation of impactful programs and interventions. The Community Psychology course builds the foundational skills to drive change within community systems.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online Bachelor of Arts in Psychology – Community Psychology program.