Transforming Mental Health Through Community Action

Name: Community Mental Health & Social Change: A Training Course in Liberation Psychology
Availability: InStock

Inspired by Geoffrey Nelson’s "Community Psychology: In Pursuit of Liberation and Well-Being"

Transforming Mental Health Through Community Action

At a glance

Duration: 1 Week
Format: Classroom
Cities: Marbella, London, Munich, San Diego, Berlin, Abu Dhabi and more
Next session: 25 – 29 October 2026, Marbella
Average fee: 5,750 €

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Community Mental Health & Social Change: A Training Course in Liberation Psychology

Course Overview

The course is designed to empower professionals working at the intersection of mental health and social justice. Drawing from the foundational insights of "Community Psychology" by Geoffrey Nelson and Isaac Prilleltensky, this course bridges theory and practice to address real-world challenges. It integrates community psychology training, liberation psychology concepts, and ecological models in psychology to cultivate inclusive mental health leadership. Participants will explore the social determinants of mental health, community-based interventions, power dynamics in communities, and critical perspectives on mental health. Through cultural competence in psychology and grassroots mental health initiatives, learners will be equipped with methods to foster recovery, resilience, and systemic transformation.

Target Audience

Community psychologists
Social workers
Public health professionals
Mental health clinicians
Human rights advocates
Organizational development consultants
Educators and policy-makers in health and social care

Targeted Organizational Departments

Public and community health departments
Corporate social responsibility divisions
Diversity, equity, and inclusion teams
Mental health services and wellness programs
Nonprofit program development units

Targeted Industries

Health and human services
Education and research institutions
International NGOs and humanitarian organizations
Government and public policy agencies
Community development and urban planning

Course Offerings

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

Apply ecological models in psychology to real-world mental health challenges
Design empowerment-based mental health programs
Evaluate social determinants of mental health in marginalized communities
Use values in community psychology to guide program development
Integrate cultural competence and inclusive practices into interventions
Analyze power dynamics in community contexts
Plan and assess community-based interventions for psychological well-being

Training Methodology

This course uses a participatory and experiential learning model rooted in critical pedagogy. Training will include case studies of grassroots mental health initiatives, role plays around power dynamics in communities, and group activities focused on social intervention planning. Guided discussions will explore the interplay between marginalisation and psychological well-being. Using real-life scenarios from the textbook and field, participants will apply transformative and participatory research methods. Each day concludes with a structured reflection to reinforce learning and promote personal insights. Materials are grounded in empowerment-based mental health frameworks, promoting inclusive psychological practices.

Course Toolbox

ebook "Community Psychology: In Pursuit of Liberation and Well-Being"
Case study briefs and community scenarios
Value-mapping worksheets and empowerment checklists
Cultural competence evaluation templates
Methods for participatory action research (guides, planning sheets)
Reflection journals and facilitation guides

Course Agenda

Day 1: Foundations of Liberation and Community Psychology

Topic 1: Introduction to Community Psychology and Liberation Frameworks
Topic 2: Values and Principles in Community Psychology
Topic 3: Understanding Oppression, Liberation, and Well-Being
Topic 4: Ecological Models and Multilevel Interventions
Topic 5: Prevention and Promotion Strategies for Mental Health
Topic 6: methods for Contextualizing Social Problems
Reflection & Review: Personal and Collective Journeys in Community Psychology

Day 2: Power, Inclusion, and Cultural Contexts

Topic 1: Community and Power Dynamics
Topic 2: Commitment, Accountability, and Inclusion
Topic 3: Addressing Racism and Colonization in Psychology
Topic 4: Gender, Feminist Theory, and Social Justice
Topic 5: Working with Immigrant and Refugee Communities
Topic 6: Cultural Competence and Cross-Cultural Psychology
Reflection & Review: Intersecting Identities and Inclusive Mental Health Practices

Day 3: Interventions for Empowerment and Recovery

Topic 1: Overview of Community Psychology Interventions
Topic 2: Designing Social Interventions for Systemic Change
Topic 3: Organizational and Community-Level Approaches
Topic 4: Small Group and Individual Interventions
Topic 5: Recovery and Inclusion Models in Mental Health
Topic 6: Promoting Resilience and Collective Healing
Reflection & Review: Building Sustainable Empowerment Models

Day 4: Participatory Research and Community Action

Topic 1: Foundations of Community-Based Research
Topic 2: Post-positivist and Social Constructivist Paradigms
Topic 3: Transformative Research and Participatory Action
Topic 4: methods for Evaluating Community Programs
Topic 5: Research Ethics and Power in Knowledge Production
Topic 6: Evidence-Based Advocacy for Social Justice
Reflection & Review: From Research to Action: Closing the Loop

Day 5: Addressing Structural Barriers and Leading Change

Topic 1: Understanding Marginalization and Social Exclusion
Topic 2: Globalization, Poverty, and the Politics of Mental Health
Topic 3: Confronting Ableism and Advocating Accessibility
Topic 4: Supporting Disadvantaged Families and Children
Topic 5: Building Community Resilience to Climate and Crisis
Topic 6: Charting Future Directions in Liberation Psychology
Reflection & Review: Transforming Systems and Sustaining Justice

FAQ

What specific qualifications or prerequisites are needed for participants before enrolling in the course?

No formal prerequisites are required. However, experience in mental health, community development, or social justice work is beneficial.

How long is each day's session, and is there a total number of hours required for the entire course?

Each day's session is generally structured to last around 4-5 hours, with breaks and interactive activities included. The total course duration spans one week, approximately 20-25 hours of instruction.

How does liberation psychology apply to real-world organizational challenges?

Liberation psychology provides frameworks for confronting systemic inequality, empowering community voices, and promoting accountability in policy and organizational change. Participants learn to diagnose institutional barriers and build inclusive, justice-oriented systems.

How This Course is Different from Other Community Mental Health Courses

The course stands out by grounding every element in the liberation psychology framework, going beyond symptom-based approaches to tackle the root causes of mental distress. Unlike many courses that treat mental health as an individual issue, this course trains participants to recognise systemic oppression, power imbalances, and cultural contexts. Using methods from the book by Nelson and Prilleltensky, it emphasizes empowerment, ecological thinking, and participatory methods. This course not only enhances knowledge but also builds real-world skills for social transformation through community-based mental health strategies, critical reflection, and cross-sector collaboration.

credits: 5 credit per day

Course Mode: full-time

Provider: Agile Leaders Training Center

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Lisbon	Week 07, 2027 15 – 19 February 2027	1 Week	Onsite	€5,700
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