Nursing Component Task
Nursing procedures & clinical learning

Community Mental Health Nursing (RCMN)

ORGANIZING A COMMUNITY DURBAR

Durbar is a formal community gathering where the RCPN facilitates the discussion of issues concerning mental health in the community. This enables information dissemination, consensus building and education on issues of importance to the community.

Purpose

  • Information dissemination
  • Consensus building
  • Foster social and behavioural change
  • Promote good community mental health

Indications

  • Organising a formal community gathering (durbar) to discuss mental health issues.
  • Information dissemination, consensus building and education on community issues.
  • Fostering social and behavioural change and promoting good community mental health.

Equipment

  • Pen and paper
  • Table and chair
  • Topic for the session

Preparation

  • Draw a programme and assign responsibilities with the community leaders.
  • Arrange the venue, date and time in consultation with the community leaders.
  • Discuss with the leaders how the durbar shall be announced, e.g. by gong-gong beating.

Procedure steps

  • Determine the topic and set objectives
  • Conduct community entry
  • Contact community leaders
  • Brief leaders on the objectives of the durbar
  • Draw programme and assign responsibilities with community leaders
  • Arrange venue, date, and time in consultation with community leaders, taking into consideration convenient time to participants
  • Discuss with community leaders how durbar shall be announced, e.g. by gong-gong beating
  • Ensure that announcement of the durbar is carried out in good time
  • If there is cancellation of the durbar, ensure that is announced in good time
  • Ensure the health team is punctual to the durbar
  • Ensure that community leaders are present
  • Ensure participation of men, women, and vulnerable groups
  • Inform and educate community members on the objectives of the durbar
  • Allow everybody to participate in the discussions
  • Ensure that one person talks at a time
  • Give a summary of issues discussed and the decisions taken at the durbar ground
  • Discuss outcome of the durbar with the community leaders
  • Write report on the outcome of the debar to the community leaders
  • Document the findings in your report book
  • Share your contact with the participants and location of the mental health unit
  • Conduct any follow-up activities

Precautions

  • Determine the topic and set objectives before the durbar.
  • Conduct community entry and contact the community leaders first.
  • Ensure announcement of the durbar is carried out in good time, including any cancellation.
  • Ensure that one person talks at a time during the discussions.

Aftercare

  • Discuss the outcome of the durbar with the community leaders and write a report on the outcome.
  • Conduct any follow-up activities after the durbar.

Nursing considerations

  • Ensure the health team is punctual and the community leaders are present.
  • Ensure the participation of men, women and vulnerable groups.
  • Share contact details and the location of the mental health unit with the participants.

Patient education

  • Inform and educate community members on the objectives of the durbar.
  • Allow everybody to participate in the discussions and give a summary of issues discussed and decisions taken.

Documentation

  • Document the findings in the report book.

References and further reading

Educational resource only. Follow current Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance, local institutional protocols, scope of practice, and clinical supervision.

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