Abstract
Background: Literature suggests that a disparity exists relative to the higher prevalence of depression among the population of impoverished ethnically diverse women, the services available, and care received resulting in a significant health issue for women.|Objectives: An exploratory-descriptive qualitative study explored the experiences of depression among the population and key stakeholders to inform the development of an interprofessional, community based program to reduce depression and improve the quality of life of ethnically diverse women residing in an urban community.|Design: Data were collected using focus groups and individual interviews with members of the population and key community representatives, transcribed verbatim, reviewed for accuracy, coded, and analyzed for themes.|Results: Compassion, ease, and hope emerged as the three overarching foundational themes.|Conclusion: An intentional infrastructure and strategies to create an experience of compassion, ease, and hope appear to be essential core components of a successful mental health program model for impoverished women experiencing depression.