The COVID-19 pandemic is currently devastating many communities across America. The increases in infection, unemployment, and death are straining resources in disadvantaged communities, such as rural African American communities. In rural African American communities, pastors are serving as informal first- responders, responding to the communities social and emotional needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, many are experiencing increased psychological distress such as anxiety and depressive symptoms related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Given the decreased access to formal mental health services, pastors are responsible for addressing the emotional concerns of congregants in addition to addressing other psychosocial needs such as the need for financial support and food. Pastors, a population already at risk for psychological distress and burn-out, are experiencing an increase in psychological stress related to these added demands; thereby, increasing the likelihood that rural African American pastors will experience emotional unwellness (i.e. emotional distress or strain that can lead to the development of mental illness).

The parent grant seeks to test the effectiveness of a culturally adapted an evidence-based intervention to address emotional wellness in rural African American adults of faith. The multi-level intervention is based on behavioral activation (BA), an evidence-based psychotherapy for the treatment of depression that focuses on identifying and scheduling personally meaningful activities to reduce depressive symptoms while simultaneously addressing obstacles (i.e. avoidance) to participating in identified activities. Small groups led by lay leaders undergo an 8-session faith-based behavioral activation protocol that provides individuals with education about: identifying depressive symptoms, identifying pleasurable activities, scheduling pleasurable activities, and identifying and addressing avoidant behaviors that act as barriers to completing pleasurable activities.

Given the specific need of pastors serving as informal first responders, this supplement seeks to refine the existing REJOICE intervention to provide pastors with skills to improve personal emotional wellness related to serving on the first-lines of the COVID-19 pandemic and build the capacity of pastors to adequately respond to the emotional needs of rural African Americans.