Stepped Care Treatment for Common Mental Disorders Among Foreign Domestic Helpers

The SCMH-FDH intervention consists of 4 steps. Step 1 involves a self-help intervention (through 12 mental health booklets) delivered in 6 sessions and an online peer support group. Those who did not respond to Step 1 will be referred to Step 2 (group-based resilience workshop). The intervention will be also be delivered in 6 weekly sessions lasting 1-1.5-hours. Those who did not respond to Step 2 will be referred to Step 3 (guided self-help cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT) with guidance from a trained therapist. Self-help materials will be provided. The sessions are spread out over six weeks, with each sessions lasting 30-45 minutes. Those who did not respond to Step 3 will be referred to Step 4 (high intensity interventions provided by mental health professionals). Stepping up is determined by the IAPT-minimum data set. If assessment scores after previous treatment exceeds the defined threshold (PHQ-9 ≥ 10 or GAD-7 ≥ 8), then participants need to step up to the next intervention.