Abstract:

Social workers are trained in both skills and theory to become practitioners, policy makers, leaders and advocates. Their education is centered in experiential components that are complemented by theoretical frameworks and vice versa. This educational experience is based on intervention research and the knowledge that is derived from it to move the profession forward and support communities, individuals and movements. Research in social work has shifted to become more inclusive and participatory of the communities and individuals studied. This has allowed them to have an active role in the process, implementation, and dissemination of information. The use of psychoeducation as a framework that centers the concept of sharing knowledge and creating a collaborative approach is key in this educational shift. An illustration of this is a community participatory research of a psychoeducation intervention that was conducted with community leaders in informal settlements in Brazil and Kenya to support them on coping with mental health and stress related to the COVID 19 pandemic. The community members were present in the entire process from conceptualization of the intervention, to selecting topics to be covered, to managing challenges. The study results found that despite high rates of systematic and interpersonal trauma, leaders demonstrated tremendous resilience and courage in acknowledging their needs in the community to continue community work and in supporting one another. Additionally, sharing lived experiences served to enhance coping and collective support. The psychoeducation intervention strengthened leaders’ capacity and efficacy as trainers to offer similar trainings to enhance mental health within their own communities. Attending to culture, language, historical and socio-political context was imperative in the development and implementation of the intervention. This research illustrates the training social workers in community participatory research and psychoeducation and the synergy that should exists between education, practice and research. This approach also directly addresses power, privilege, and oppression.

Keywords:

Education, Social Work, Research, Practice, Community Participatory Research.