“Helping myself empowered me to help young people better”: A stepped care model with non-specialist workers (NSW)

The report explores a stepped care model called SAMWAAD, designed to address adolescent mental health in urban vulnerable communities in Mumbai and Thane. This model, developed by SNEHA, leverages non-specialist workers (NSWs) to deliver preventive psychological treatments and counseling.

The study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of this approach, focusing on common mental health disorders, social determinants, and barriers like stigma and lack of privacy. The intervention engaged 500 adolescents, their parents, and 52 NSWs, addressing issues such as poverty, family communication gaps, and academic stress. Quantitative and qualitative data showed improved mental health awareness, reduced stigma, and better parental communication post-intervention. NSWs provided psychoeducation, counseling, and referrals, showing significant potential in community-based mental health support.

The SAMWAAD initiative highlighted the importance of addressing social determinants of mental health, fostering trust, and engaging families. It also emphasized the role of training and mentoring NSWs to build their capacity and confidence. Challenges such as time constraints and lack of incentives for NSWs were noted. The report concludes that community-based mental health models like SAMWAAD could effectively address gaps in adolescent mental health services while emphasizing scalability and integration with existing public health frameworks.