Participatory Health

   Participatory health ministry is an approach that looks at health in the broadest sense. It addresses the issues related to what in the lives of individuals or communities impacts their health, with particular emphasis on those things that have a negative impact. This approach focuses on groups of people who have common issues affecting their ability to cope with daily life in a healthy way. The emphasis is on helping the groups help themselves. Control over one's life is very important to one's health.

   The participatory health process encourages people to view themselves as a source of knowledge. Knowledge does not come from "experts" but from the collective wisdom that emerges from a group sharing experiences and understanding the social influences that affect individual lives. The group members can develop strategies together that will change their present situation.

   Problems addressed are those that have emotional meaning for the group members, because "gut" issues provoke the most interest.

   Group members discover that they can do a variety of things to improve their health. They also learn skills they can use in other aspects of their lives. Participation in the process itself has healing benefits.

   The process involves analysis, action, and relfection. It follows these basic steps:

• Identification of the group in need.
• Recruitment and/or training of facilitators.
• A listening survey of group members to identify key issues.
• A group meeting to discuss and analyze problems, especially their root causes, and to develop strategies for solution.
• Development of a plan of action.
• Review, evaluation, and reflection.
• Further action.

   The role of facilitators is to get the program started, to assist the group in the process, and to provide information if requested. The group members themselves identify the problems, analyze them, and develop solutions.