The COVID-19 pandemic had devastated many communities across America. The increases in infection, unemployment, and death had strained resources in disadvantaged communities, such as rural African American communities. In these communities, pastors had served as informal first responders, addressing the social and emotional needs associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, many had experienced increased psychological distress, such as anxiety and depressive symptoms related to the pandemic.

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

The parent grant had sought to test the effectiveness of a culturally adapted, evidence-based intervention to address emotional wellness in rural African American adults of faith. The multi-level intervention had been 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 had undergone an 8-session faith-based behavioral activation protocol that provided individuals with education on identifying depressive symptoms, identifying pleasurable activities, scheduling pleasurable activities, and addressing avoidant behaviors that acted as barriers to completing these activities.

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