Impact Case Study: Effectiveness of a group-based stress management self-help programme for humanitarian settings

In humanitarian settings people experiencing mental health and psychosocial problems largely go without the support they need. Few interventions are available to support people in these settings. This study aimed to understand the effectiveness of Self Help Plus (SH+), an innovative intervention designed for delivery to large groups. The study involved women refugees in Uganda with at least moderate levels of psychological distress.

SH+ is now published in three languages and used in crisis settings including Ukraine and Uganda. The study also informed the SH+ book Doing What Matters in Times of Stress, which was released by WHO as a stress management guide. Available in 30 languages, it is one of WHO’s most downloaded publication. Additional funds were awarded in 2023 from R2HC’s Uptake and Impact Small Grants programme for further activities to enhance the impact of this project.

R2HC captures detailed case studies through a process that triangulates and validates evidence on uptake and impact. The case study methodology and full version of this summary case study including references are available on request. Outputs and resources from this study are available on the project page.