Background: Designing interventions aimed at enhancing mental health may be difficult due to the degree
of complexity. Marginalized groups often have a poorer mental health. Deprived neighbourhoods, in which
there is an increased proportion of these residents, may be seen as an ideal arena in order to work with health
promotion and preventive initiatives in relation to mental health. From 2010 to 2014, 12 municipalities in
Denmark worked with mental health during the project Forebyggelsesindsatser i nærmiljøet. However, municipality
work on interventions related to mental health has shown to be very difficult.

Aim: The aim of the study is to develop recommendations for the future work within mental health with
marginalized groups in deprived neighbourhoods. The recommendations are based on the experiences from
the Forebyggelsesindsatser i nærmiljøet and the scientific evidence.

Methods: This study uses a systematic literature review and a deductive document analysis based on the
project descriptions, midterm- and final evaluations of the Forebyggelsesindsatser i nærmiljøet. The systematic
literature review aims at identifying evidence-based interventions concerning mental health in deprived
neighbourhoods. The document analysis aims at analyzing and discussing the 12 municipalities’ efforts to
enhance the mental health, and is conducted on the basis of a theoretical framework consisting of multiple
intervention programs and process evaluation tools.

Results: The systematic literature review resulted in 15 scientific articles, containing interventions or methods
who can be applied in future work concerning mental health in deprived neighbourhoods. The document
analysis resulted in eight themes; context, realm of understanding, selecting aims and a population, methods
for measuring outcomes, outcome and experiences, initiatives, recruitment and maintenance.

Conclusion: In the municipalities’ future work with mental health of marginalized groups in deprived neighbourhoods,
it is recommended: An iterative approach should be used, where the methods, approaches and
interventions is adjusted systematically and regularly to ensure outcome, and to ensure that the aims are
reached with the highest possible benefits. Public involvement should be recognized as an approach. From
the very start of the project, an analysis of the community and a priority of the participants should be established.
A clear set of goals should be established at the beginning of the project, and methods for evaluation
should also be considered. Theories which can help provide effective approaches for the participants should
be involved. A combination of multiple levels of the system should be integrated. Knowledge of the context
should be involved in the choice of recruitment strategy, and the adjustment of the recruitment strategy
should be based on knowledge of the participants. To ensure maintenance it is recommended to include volunteers
as a resource in the local environment, and it should be recognized that the maintenance will require
time and resources.

Keywords: mental health, deprived neighbourhood, marginalized groups, multiple intervention programs.