Petagna, Marta, Marley, Charles ORCID: 0000-0002-5869-0521, Guerra, Cristóbal ORCID: 0000-0003-1827-0634, Calia, Clara ORCID: 0000-0003-2505-6361 and Reid, Corinne ORCID: 0000-0001-5252-041X (2022) Mental Health Gap Action Programme intervention guide (mhGAP-IG) for child and adolescent mental health in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMIC): a systematic review. Community Mental Health Journal, 59. pp. 192-204. ISSN 0010-3853

Abstract

Background: The Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP) supports engagement of non-specialists in mental health services in Low- and Middle-Income countries. Given this aim, assessment of the effectiveness of approaches under its remit is warranted. Aims: We evaluated mhGAP approaches relating to child and adolescent mental health, focusing on provider / child outcomes, and barriers / facilitators of implementation. Methods: Thirteen databases were searched for reviews and primary research on mhGAP roll out for child and adolescent mental health. Results: Twelve studies were reviewed. Provider-level outcomes were restricted to knowledge gains, with limited evidence of other effects. Child-level outcomes included improved access to care, enhanced functioning and socio-emotional well-being. Organisational factors, clients and providers? attitudes and expectations, and transcultural considerations were barriers. Conclusions: Further attention to the practical and methodological aspects of implementation of evaluation may improve the quality of evidence of the effectiveness of approaches under its remit.

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