Community psychology is rooted in community mental health research and practice and has made important contributions to this field. Yet, in the decades since its inception, community psychology has reduced its focus on promoting mental health, well-being, and liberation of individuals with serious mental illnesses. This special issue endeavors to highlight current efforts in community mental health from our field and related disciplines and point to future directions for reengagement in this area. The issue includes 12 articles authored by diverse stakeholder groups. Following a review of the state of community mental health scholarship in the field's two primary journals since 1973, the remaining articles center on four thematic areas: (a) the community experience of individuals with serious mental illness; (b) the utility of a participatory and cross-cultural lens in our engagement with community mental health; (c) Housing First implementation, evaluation, and dissemination; and (d) emerging or under-examined topics. In reflection, we conclude with a series of challenges for community psychologists involved in future, transformative, movements in community mental health.
Keywords: Community mental health; Community psychology; Serious mental illness; Transformative change.
© Society for Community Research and Action 2018.
Townley G, Terry R. Townley G, et al. Am J Community Psychol. 2018 Mar;61(1-2):10-21. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12210. Epub 2017 Dec 18. Am J Community Psychol. 2018. PMID: 29251346 Review.
Mihelicova M, Brown M, Shuman V. Mihelicova M, et al. Am J Community Psychol. 2018 Mar;61(1-2):141-152. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12217. Epub 2017 Dec 21. Am J Community Psychol. 2018. PMID: 29266247 Review.
Terry R, Townley G. Terry R, et al. Am J Community Psychol. 2019 Dec;64(3-4):509-527. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12336. Epub 2019 May 22. Am J Community Psychol. 2019. PMID: 31116874 Review.
Campbell R, Morris M. Campbell R, et al. Am J Community Psychol. 2017 Dec;60(3-4):491-501. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12177. Epub 2017 Nov 8. Am J Community Psychol. 2017. PMID: 29115667
Gokani R, Walsh RTG. Gokani R, et al. Am J Community Psychol. 2017 Jun;59(3-4):284-294. doi: 10.1002/ajcp.12141. Epub 2017 May 4. Am J Community Psychol. 2017. PMID: 28471513