Key objectives | Development of a multifaceted programme that includes an anti-stigma campaign and the systematic medical appraisal, referral and treatment (SMART) mental health intervention Evaluation of the intervention to provide evidence of feasibility, acceptability and effectiveness of the programme | |
Strategies | Training/Educating health professionals (primary healthcare physicians, healthcare professionals (ASHAs) and project staff) with updates in screening, diagnosis and treatment of population for depression, suicidal risk and emotional problems using EDSS tool Educating the community members about mental health and adherence to treatment Offering free screening /counselling services to the community in interventional areas | |
Interventional activities based on target groups | General population | Educating about mental health, non-pharmacological treatments of mental illness and the benefits of treatment Sharing brochures and posters on mental health using door-to-door campaign Video shows of a person talking about his own mental illness and a film actor talking about CMD; staging live performances of a drama on mental disorders |
Primary health care Physicians and health care professionals (ASHAs) | Organizing training workshops on the updates in screening, diagnosis and treatment of population for depression. suicidal risk and emotional problems using EDSS tool Training/educational manuals for physicians, and healthcare professionals Knowledge on key symptoms, such as psychotic features, and comorbid conditions, such as drug and alcohol use | |
Screen positives and family members | Educating about mental health, non-pharmacological treatments of mental illness and the benefits of treatment Educating patients relatives’ for screening mental illness and raising their sensitization in favor of the patients’ treatment using door to door campaign Organizing health camps for providing free counselling services Referral to the next level of care to access the trained mental health professionals |