Psychological self-help interventions: delivering self-help for individuals, featuring Step-by-Step and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress

Abstract

viii, 141 p.Addressing the global treatment gap for common mental health conditions requires scalable, evidence-based approaches that can be delivered beyond specialist care settings. This manual provides operational guidance for planning and implementing individually delivered psychological self-help interventions to expand access to mental health care. It outlines how structured self-help techniques can support individuals in managing psychological distress, drawing on evidence of effectiveness, particularly for depression and anxiety, and situates these interventions within comprehensive mental health systems adaptable to diverse contexts and delivery formats. The publication presents key steps for programme design and implementation, including intervention selection, cultural adaptation, workforce preparation and delivery models. It describes both guided and unguided self-help modalities, detailing processes for user assessment, brief support contacts, safety management and referral pathways. Dedicated sections examine the application of two WHO interventions, Step-by-Step and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress, highlighting their structure, delivery and evidence base. Intended for decision-makers, programme managers, trainers and non-specialist helpers, the manual supports the effective scale-up and integration of evidence-based psychosocial interventions within health and community systems through practical tools, templates and implementation protocols.Generic field-trial version 1.0 dc.relatio