INTRODUCTION:
Community health worker (CHW) programs, though they vary by context, typically serve as a ‘bridge’ between the formal health system and communities, exposing CHWs to unique structural and systems challenges. Little or no pay, role confusion, insufficient supervision, exposure to violence and health hazards, and no job security are common among CHW programs and known risk factors for occupational mental health issues. Despite troubling mental well-being among other health workers and documented risks for CHWs, multistakeholder dialogue on CHW occupational mental well-being, inclusive of CHWs themselves, has been limited. This workshop will bring together stakeholders invested in CHW programming (including CHWs) to understand the landscape shaping occupational mental health and discuss substantive ways to address the knowledge, policy, and practice gaps that can protect or improve the mental well-being of CHWs in the contexts represented by participants.

METHODS:
This interactive workshop will have two parts. Part I will present current evidence from scoping review findings, video testimonials, and case studies that explore the issue across lower- and middle-income countries. Part II will engage attendees in facilitated small-group discussions organized around three themes: research gaps and methodological challenges, policy barriers and opportunities, and integration of CHW voices into practice. Results and Conclusion This workshop will offer delegates an opportunity to understand current global evidence on CHW occupational mental wellbeing, gain practical insights into context-specific challenges, and discuss what is needed to advance research, policy, and ground-level support in diverse settings. Participatory discussions will generate actionable recommendations in each thematic area, which will be documented, synthesized, and shared with consenting participants post-conference. By fostering collaborative inquiry among CHWs, researchers, policymakers, and practitioners, this workshop bridges evidence presentation with participatory inquiry. The intended outcome is to catalyze actions that advance efforts to improve CHW mental well-being and sustain effective CHW programs.