Psychoeducational Group Facilitation as a Tool for Mental Health Equity in Diverse Populations

Abstract

Mental health inequities persist across diverse populations due to structural barriers, stigma, and limited access to culturally responsive care. Psychoeducational group facilitation has emerged as a promising, community-oriented approach for addressing these gaps by enhancing mental health literacy, empowerment, and collective support. This study examined the effectiveness of a structured psychoeducational group intervention in promoting mental health equity among diverse adult populations using a mixed-methods, quasi-experimental design. Quantitative pre–post assessments evaluated changes in mental health literacy, psychological distress, perceived stigma, coping self-efficacy, and equity-related indicators, while qualitative data captured participant experiences and facilitation processes. The results demonstrated significant improvements in mental health literacy and coping self-efficacy, accompanied by substantial reductions in psychological distress and stigma following the intervention. Participants also reported high levels of perceived accessibility, cultural relevance, and empowerment, alongside increased willingness to seek mental health support. Process analyses revealed strong group cohesion, psychological safety, and sustained engagement across sessions, underscoring the importance of skilled facilitation and group dynamics. Overall, the findings indicate that psychoeducational group facilitation is an effective, scalable, and culturally responsive strategy for advancing mental health equity and complementing formal mental health service delivery in diverse community contexts.