Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health

Evidence-based Approaches to Public Health

Evidence-based approaches to public health include identifying the problem, determining the causes, risk factors, and protective factors for the problem, and determining effective, sustainable, and replicable prevention strategies. Evidence-based approaches that NAMI uses with the service population include defining and measuring the problem of suicide and mental illness within the community. NAMI seeks to determine the cause, risk factors and protective factors for suicide and mental illness. The focus of NAMI energy and attention is on prevention of suicide and strategies to improve mental health within the community. NAMI provides awareness and education to those struggling with mental illness and their caregivers. NAMI also encourages volunteers that have experienced mental illness, or are family or friends of those with mental illness to participate in education and events. They provide training for support group leadership. NAMI understands the importance of engaging the community in supporting the service population. The suicide prevention and postvention programs related to this project, have a community-based approach that seeks to understand community preferences for improving population health and includes the important interprofessional collaboration and partnering with various stakeholders in the community. First responders, health care and mental health care providers, businesses, political leaders, faith-based organizations, schools, and volunteers are recognized as vital parts of affecting the mental health of Mesa County. Evidence-based programs in Alaska, Washington. Oregon, and Australia that have shown promise of effective policies and practices were critically researched and reviewed; the effective elements of the existing postvention programs were utilized to develop and implement the Mesa County Community Action Plan.