Effectiveness of a Problem-solving Intervention for Common Adolescent Mental Health Problems in India

"The PRIDE problem-solving intervention is one component of the PRIDE stepped care treatment architecture which comprises two sequential treatments of incremental intensity. 'Step 1' is a brief, first-line treatment. It is grounded in stress-coping theory, with a technical focus on practical problem-solving to modify developmentally salient stressors.~Step 1 has been designed as a 'low-intensity' intervention requiring fewer resources than conventional psychological treatments. This is achieved through a relatively brief delivery schedule (up to 5 x 20-30-minute sessions spread over approximately 3 weeks) and limited requirement for specialists. The delivery agents are lay counsellors receiving a combination of specialist and peer supervision. The counsellors offer guidance sessions to support the learning and implementation of problem-solving and complementary coping skills. Illustrated booklets are used to support learning of problem-solving concepts and skills practice at home."

There is no established mental health service provision in the collaborating schools. The control arm participants will receive an enhancement of this 'usual care' (essentially, no care) by having access to the same illustrated booklets used in the Intervention arm, albeit without any counsellor contact.