Large-scale cognitive-behavioural Stress Management workshops were run for
members of the general public as part of a city-wide mental health promotion
campaign. Four groups were compared: a workshop run over one day (Full-Day),
one run over two half-days (Half-Day), a non-specific intervention control
group, and a waiting list control group. Results indicate that the
participants in the workshop groups improved more than those in either of
the control groups, supporting the idea that the psychoeducational approach
can be valuable and economical in a health promotion and public health
context. The use of this format in clinical situations and in primary care
settings is also discussed.