Multi-level Child Mental Health Interventions in Azerbaijan

All participants receive the usual care via standard mental health services offered by the NMHC to the public free of charge. Participants will have access to these public services regardless of whether or not they choose to participate in this study. If they refuse to participate in the research study, they will still have access to usual care.

Families will engage in 12 weekly (1-1.5 hours) of family strengthening sessions, led by trained facilitators from the Research and Education Center. Groups will be composed of approximately 5 caregiver-child dyads. Sessions are designed to improve family functioning, strengthen child-parent relationships, enhance parenting strategies, and prevent emotional and behavioral problems among at-risk children.

Children will receive 12 sessions of individual mental health services. Clinicians are trained in the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency (ARC) framework. Services include a clinical assessment performed by a psychiatrist, development of an individual care plan, and corresponding mental health services, informed by ARC.

Child Development Accounts (CDAs) will be opened to facilitate family savings. The project will provide $50 as seed money to open a savings account in the child's name. Savings of up to $20 per month will be matched with study funds at a rate of 2:1 and placed in the CDA account. Caregivers and children will also engage in 12 weekly (1-1.5 hours) of financial education sessions, led by facilitators from the Research and Education Center.