Mental and Social Health Commons^™

Predicting Mental Health Disparities Using Machine Learning For African Americans In Southeastern Virginia, Ismail El Moudden, Michael C. Bittner, Matvey V. Karpov, Isaac O. Osunmakinde, Akosua Acheamponmaa, Breshell J. Nevels, Mamadou T. Mbaye, Tonya L. Fields, Karthiga Jordan, Messaoud Bahoura

Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology Faculty Publications

This study examined mental health disparities among African Americans using AI and machine learning for outcome prediction. Analyzing data from African American adults (18–85) in Southeastern Virginia (2016–2020), we found Mood Affective Disorders were most prevalent (41.66%), followed by Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders. Females predominantly experienced mood disorders, with patient ages typically ranging from late thirties to mid-forties. Medicare coverage was notably high among schizophrenia patients, while emergency admissions and comorbidities significantly impacted total healthcare charges. Machine learning models, including gradient boosting, random forest, neural networks, logistic regression, and Naive Bayes, were validated through 100 repeated 5-fold cross-validations. …

Supporting People Bereaved By Suicide In The South West Region Of Western Australia: Report, Colleen M. Carlon

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

This paper reports on the practices of service providers in working with people and communities bereaved by suicide in regional contexts. For people bereaved by suicide experiences of grief, trauma and stigma and the questioning of why someone has died create a complex mix of need and emotion that can leave people vulnerable to complicated grief and poor physical and mental health. These effects may also be exacerbated by stigma in social and communal contexts. As such experiences of suicide grief are different to other forms of grief and loss, effectively supporting people and communities bereaved by suicide requires knowledge …

Improving Mental Health Referral Systems In Rural Australia: Co-Design Study With Health Professionals And Consumers, Kate Bartel, Asini Malinka Siriwardene, Paul Worley, Kim Pearce, Niranjan Bidargaddi, Bronwin Patrickson, Simon Moody, Sharon Wingard, Martin Jones, Brian Mckenny, Darryl Cameron, Sharon Lawn, Amy E. Mendham

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

Background: In rural Australia, geographical isolation, limited resources, and complex health care navigation create significant barriers to mental health care access. Mental health care professionals and organizations often work in segregation, exacerbating existing barriers. Digital technology provides an opportunity to improve communication between providers and streamline workflows while supporting a diverse range of consumers. Objective: This co-design study aimed to identify rural community needs and explore digital solutions to enhance mental health service delivery pathways. Methods: Using a design-thinking methodology, we conducted focus groups and workshops with 17 participants (7 consumers and caregivers and 10 health care professionals) from a …

Yoga As A Self-Care Practice For Mental Health Counselors Who Treat Trauma, Kari Michelle Fitzgerald

Graduate Research Theses & Dissertations

Given the high rates of burnout and compassion fatigue among trauma-exposed counselors, understanding effective self-care practices is critical for sustaining clinical effectiveness and well-being. Utilizing Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), exploration of the lived experiences of licensed mental health counselors who treat trauma and use yoga as a self-care practice was conducted. Eight participants who were regular yoga practitioners each participated in one semi-structured interview and submitted one pre- and one post-interview reflective journal entry. Thematic analysis was used to identify six major themes; 1) emotional impact and sacred responsibility of clinical work, 2) yoga as a regulating and restorative practice, …

Multidisciplinary Lethal Means Safety Counseling Design And Implementation: Training And Identifying Barriers In A Children's Hospital, Cassandra L. Stegall, Brendon Carnell, Jaime M. Golden, Rupa Kapoor, John H. Fanton, Paul C. Mullan, Alexandra P. Leader

Department of Pediatrics Faculty Publications

Background

Access to lethal means contributes significantly to suicide completion. Lethal means safety counseling (LMSC) is an injury prevention strategy to limit access to firearms, medications, and other means of injury. Not previously evaluated in the trauma setting, this study aims to design and implement a standardized LMSC protocol for pediatric patient discharge education in emergency (ED), trauma, and inpatient psychiatry settings.

Methods

A single-center quality improvement study at an academic pediatric urban tertiary Level-one trauma center was performed from July 2023 to February 2024. Protocol was implemented for pediatric patients discharged from three departments: ED, surgery trauma service, and …

Is The Defendant Mad Or Bad? The Association Between Mental Health, Race And Sex In Sentencing In Federal Courts, Tracy Sohoni, Sylwia Piatkowska, Briana Paige

Sociology & Criminal Justice Faculty Publications

Although US courts regularly sentence individuals with mental health problems, to date, there has been little research on whether mental health indicators are related to sentencing decisions. The focal concerns perspective suggests that sentencing decisions reflect perceptions of the blameworthiness of the defendant, concerns about protecting the community, and practical considerations. Potentially, mental health issues could serve as a mitigating factor in sentencing decisions by making defendants seem less culpable for their actions and more deserving of assistance rather than punishment, and/or due to concerns about practical considerations related to higher costs of incarceration or of exacerbating current mental health …

A Growing Concern: Long Commutes And Mental Fatigue Among Workers, Dayana Hazwani Mohd Suadi Nata, Putri Anis Syahira Mohamad Jamil, Mira Nursabrina Muhammad Rawee

Makara Journal of Health Research

Background: Commuting stress is a growing concern for workers with long daily journeys between home and work. This study explores the effects of commuting on workers’ mental and physical health, focusing on stress, mental fatigue, and productivity at work.

Methods: The research conducted in Selangor, Malaysia, involved 212 commuters who completed a survey that included sociodemographic and commuting information, the Depression Anxiety and Stress Score (DASS-21), and a mental fatigue questionnaire.

Results: The findings revealed that a significant proportion of workers experienced stress from their commuting routines: approximately 74.5% reported that commuting had a detrimental effect on …

Empowering Schools: Suicide Prevention Education For School Nurses, Navjot K. Singh

DNP Qualifying Manuscripts

Introduction: Suicide among adolescents and youth is such a serious issue that immediate, appropriate interventions are needed to reduce rates of suicide ideation and suicide mortality. The increasing rate of suicide among this population profoundly affects families, friends, and the community. Identifying and implementing appropriate interventions in schools could identify individuals who are suffering from mental illness and support suicide prevention.

Aim: The purpose of this integrative literature review was to examine the literature on suicide prevention interventions for young adolescents and teenagers aged 12-17 years old and identify the best, evidence-based practices for the school setting. The aim …

Ni Reprimir, Ni Rezar, Ni Traducir: Latinos En Nueva York Piden Cuidados De Salud Mental Incluyentes, Laura Rojas Aponte

Capstones

In New York City, only three out of ten Latinos diagnosed with depression receive treatment, compared to over half of white adults with the same condition, according to the latest Department of Health report. Despite the clear need for mental health care, access remains limited, with a lack of culturally competent services further widening the gap.

While mental health has become a more open topic in recent years, many Latinos still face significant barriers to therapy, including high costs, limited insurance coverage, cultural stigma, and disconnects between patients and providers. However, there are ongoing efforts to address these challenges, ranging …

Somethin' I'M Tryin' To Work On, Ian P. Summers

Capstones

A filmmaker tells the story of the night he nearly committed suicide. Traveling from his home in Brooklyn, Ian tells three of his closest friends, Drake, Alec and Matt, about how they unknowingly helped him through the most difficult time in his life.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87iUM31s-Eg

Utilizing Pupper, A Social Robot Dog, To Increase Happiness And Improve Mood In Pediatric Patients Of A Cardiac Step-Down Unit, Angela Feng Wu

Master's Projects and Capstones

Objective The usage of social robots in pediatrics is an emerging field of study. Preliminary research shows that they are effective at improving the psychosocial well-being of pediatric patients. This quality improvement project focuses on Pupper, a newly developed quadruped social robot dog, and its ability in improving mood and happiness in pediatric patients of a cardiac step-down unit. Aim The aim of this project is to increase average mood scores of pediatric cardiac patients aged 3-25 years by 50% from their baseline of 3.75 to 5.63 on a six-point scale within a one-month time frame. Methods Before intervention and …

Improving Health Equity: Integrating Mental Health Services Into Mobile Health Clinics For Unhoused And Low-Income Populations In The United States, Tiffany Lynn Wong

Master's Projects and Capstones

Mental health disparities among homeless and low-income populations in the United States highlight significant challenges in access and quality of care. This literature review explores the integration of mental health services into Mobile Health Clinics (MHCs) as a promising recommendation to address these disparities. I used various search engines, extracting 10 articles published from 2013 to 2023 focused on the U.S. MHCs show its effectiveness in improving healthcare access and quality of care, covering different services like mammography, reproductive health, COVID-19 testing, and diabetes care. Building on these successful models, this paper proposes extending MHCs to include mental health screenings, …

Understanding The Transitional Needs Of Servicemembers To Veterans: A Focus On Mental, Social, And Behavioral Health, Marieann C. Raguso

Theses and Dissertations

This applied dissertation was designed to fill the gaps on the transitional American veterans’ lived experience using their own voice. The reconstruction of an American Veteran’s identity after transitioning back into civilian life is a process with many challenges. Transitional practices often fail to help veterans to acculturate back into the civilian world. This includes the formulation of identities and associations. There is a lack of consistency in military transitional practices leading to identity loss and the formulation of mental and behavioral disorders. The aim of this study is to examine the lived experiences of veterans who have transitioned back …

The Relationships Between Binge-Watching Behavior, Content Familiarity, Depression, And Anxiety, Emma Miller

Master's Theses & Other Graduate Student Works

This December 2024 Master of Science in Psychology thesis at Lipscomb University analyzes how binge-watching has become a dominant media consumption behavior, yet its psychological impacts remain understudied. This thesis examines the relationships between binge-watching behavior, content familiarity, depression, and anxiety, with a focus on whether familiarity moderates mental health outcomes. A sample of 94 participants completed surveys measuring binge-watching habits, content familiarity, and mental health indicators using the CES-D and SCAARED scales. Results from multiple regression analyses indicated that age, content familiarity, and viewing context significantly predicted depression, while only age predicted anxiety. Notably, participants who binge-watched familiar content …

Individualized Sensory Based Functional Activity Program For Individuals With Intellectual And Developmental Disability With A Co-Morbidity Of A Mental Health Condition, Dakota Laporte, Cynthia Haynes, Rebekah Jarrar

Fall 2024 OTD Capstone Symposium

This Program was designed for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities who have a co-occurring mental health condition. This program was designed based on the individual's sensory needs to improve occupational performance in their lives. This capstone project filled a knowledge gap by creating a sensory based activity program for individuals with IDD and mental health conditions. Its primary goal was to educate participants about their sensory needs and integrate these into functional activities to improve occupational performance.

The Implementation Of Ketamine-Assisted-Psychotherapy On Healthcare Workers Suffering From Workplace-Related Ptsd Due To Covid-19, Ziluolan Zou

Nursing | Student Research Posters

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, healthcare workers were exposed to a deadly disease with limited knowledge and personal protective equipment, subjected to long hours, forced to ration care due to limited critical care resources and ventilators, and isolated from their families due to fear of spreading the virus. These factors further compounded the occupational stress associated with being a healthcare worker. The literature shows that the physical, mental, and emotional challenges frontline healthcare workers faced during the COVID-19 pandemic had lasting impacts on their mental health. The prevalence of mental health illnesses, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, among …

Beyond Dentistry: Achieving Personal And Professional Balance, Laura Brenner Dds

Metro Denver Dental Society Articulator Magazine

This article explores the challenges dental professionals face in balancing personal fulfillment with career obligations. It emphasizes the importance of self-awareness, aligning career with personal values, and rediscovering identity beyond the profession to achieve true well-being and rekindle passion for dentistry.

Improving Outcomes Of Patients Being Seen In The Emergency Room For Mental Health Crisis, Kimberly Hudson

Doctoral Projects

Mental health is a significant problem, especially in males aged 20 to 50 years old (Omary, 2019). Lack of a primary mental health care provider, lack of proper treatment and follow up appointments for this population, and bottlenecking patients in the emergency room are all factors that contribute to the problem. As a result, these patients experience negative outcomes such as not receiving proper care and/or causing harm to themselves or others. In this doctoral project we will explore the option of patients having better outcomes if seen immediately by a psychiatric health care provider.

Having psychiatric healthcare providers in …

Assessing The Short-Term Outcomes Of Erase And Replace: A Series Of Health & Wellness Activities, Gabriela Murza, Christina Pay, Eva Timothy, Melanie Dabb, Cris Meier

Outcomes and Impact Quarterly

Utah State University Extension faculty addressed Utah's high rate of poor mental health with activities that improved participants’ connections, confidence, and abilities. These efforts positively impacted adults' mental health and quality of life and offered an additional resource to address self-care needs while encouraging connection and skill-building.

Bridging The Gap: Fostering Open Dialogue On Resource Access And Service Needs, Cameron Castillo

Capstone Projects and Master's Theses

This project investigates whether there are additional resources desired by clients or are needed to better support said clients in their recovery at the Interim, Inc. organization. This agency is a nonprofit organization whose sole purpose is to build community connections through providing services to individuals facing mental health and substance use challenges. While there is a wide range of programs available, there may still be clients with unmet needs. The purpose of this project was to identify any service gaps by conducting separate surveys of clients and staff members. Through the use of open-ended questions, the expectation of receiving …

Global And Risk-Group Stratified Well-Being And Mental Health During The Covid-19 Pandemic In Adults: Results From The International Coh-Fit Study, Marco Solmi, Trevor Thompson, Andrés Estradé, Agorastos Agorastos, Joaquim Radua, Samuele Cortese, Elena Dragioti, Davy Vancampfort, Lau Caspar Thygesen, Harald Aschauer, Monika Schlögelhofer, Elena Aschauer, Andres Schneeberger, Christian G Huber, Gregor Hasler, Philippe Conus, Kim Q Do Cuénod, Roland Von Känel, Gonzalo Arrondo, Paolo Fusar-Poli, Philip Gorwood, Pierre-Michel Llorca, Marie-Odile Krebs, Elisabetta Scanferla, Taishiro Kishimoto, Golam Rabbani, Karolina Skonieczna-Żydecka, Paolo Brambilla, Angela Favaro, Akihiro Takamiya, Leonardo Zoccante, Marco Colizzi, Julie Bourgin, Karol Kamiński, Maryam Moghadasin, Soraya Seedat, Evan Matthews, John Wells, Emilia Vassilopoulou, Ary Gadelha, Kuan-Pin Su, Jun Soo Kwon, Minah Kim, Tae Young Lee, Oleg Papsuev, Denisa Manková, Andrea Boscutti, Cristiano Gerunda, Diego Saccon, Elena Righi, Francesco Monaco, Giovanni Croatto, Guido Cereda, Jacopo Demurtas, Natascia Brondino, Nicola Veronese, Paolo Enrico, Pierluigi Politi, Valentina Ciappolino, Andrea Pfennig, Andreas Bechdolf, Andreas Meyer-Lindenberg, Kai G Kahl, Katharina Domschke, Michael Bauer, Nikolaos Koutsouleris, Sibylle Winter, Stefan Borgwardt, Istvan Bitter, Judit Balazs, Pál Czobor, Zsolt Unoka, Dimitris Mavridis, Konstantinos Tsamakis, Vasilios P Bozikas, Chavit Tunvirachaisakul, Michael Maes, Teerayuth Rungnirundorn, Thitiporn Supasitthumrong, Ariful Haque, Andre R Brunoni, Carlos Gustavo Costardi, Felipe Barreto Schuch, Guilherme Polanczyk, Jhoanne Merlyn Luiz, Lais Fonseca, Luana V Aparicio, Samira S Valvassori, Merete Nordentoft, Per Vendsborg, Sofie Have Hoffmann, Jihed Sehli, Norman Sartorius, Sabina Heuss, Daniel Guinart, Jane Hamilton, John Kane, Jose Rubio, Michael Sand, Ai Koyanagi, Aleix Solanes, Alvaro Andreu-Bernabeu, Antonia San José Cáceres, Celso Arango, Covadonga M Díaz-Caneja, Diego Hidalgo-Mazzei, Eduard Vieta, Javier Gonzalez-Peñas, Lydia Fortea, Mara Parellada, Miquel A Fullana, Norma Verdolini, Eva Andrlíková, Karolina Janků, Mark J Millan, Mihaela Honciuc, Anna Moniuszko-Malinowska, Igor Łoniewski, Jerzy Samochowiec, Łukasz Kiszkiel, Maria Marlicz, Paweł Sowa, Wojciech Marlicz, Georgina Spies, Brendon Stubbs, Joseph Firth, Sarah Sullivan, Asli Enez Darcin, Hatice Aksu, Nesrin Dilbaz, Onur Noyan, Momoko Kitazawa, Shunya Kurokawa, Yuki Tazawa, Alejandro Anselmi, Cecilia Cracco, Ana Inés Machado, Natalia Estrade, Diego De Leo, Jackie Curtis, Michael Berk, Andre F Carvalho, Philip Ward, Scott Teasdale, Simon Rosenbaum, Wolfgang Marx, Adrian Vasile Horodnic, Liviu Oprea, Ovidiu Alexinschi, Petru Ifteni, Serban Turliuc, Tudor Ciuhodaru, Alexandra Bolos, Valentin Matei, Dorien H Nieman, Iris Sommer, Jim Van Os, Therese Van Amelsvoort, Ching-Fang Sun, Ta-Wei Guu, Can Jiao, Jieting Zhang, Jialin Fan, Liye Zou, Xin Yu, Xinli Chi, Philippe De Timary, Ruud Van Winkel, Bernardo Ng, Edilberto Peña De León, Ramon Arellano, Raquel Roman, Thelma Sanchez, Larisa Movina, Pedro Morgado, Sofia Brissos, Oleg Aizberg, Anna Mosina, Damir Krinitski, James Mugisha, Dena Sadeghi-Bahmani, Farshad Sheybani, Masoud Sadeghi, Samira Hadi, Serge Brand, Antonia Errazuriz, Nicolas Crossley, Dragana Ignjatovic Ristic, Carlos López-Jaramillo, Dimitris Efthymiou, Praveenlal Kuttichira, Roy Abraham Kallivayalil, Afzal Javed, Muhammad Iqbal Afridi, Bawo James, Omonefe Joy Seb-Akahomen, Jess Fiedorowicz, Jeff Daskalakis, Lakshmi N Yatham, Lin Yang, Tarek Okasha, Aïcha Dahdouh, Jari Tiihonen, Jae Il Shin, Jinhee Lee, Ahmed Mhalla, Lotfi Gaha, Takoua Brahim, Kuanysh Altynbekov, Nikolay Negay, Saltanat Nurmagambetova, Yasser Abu Jamei, Mark Weiser, Christoph U Correll

Faculty, Staff and Students Publications

International studies measuring wellbeing/multidimensional mental health before/ during the COVID-19 pandemic, including representative samples for >2 years, identifying risk groups and coping strategies are lacking. COH-FIT is an online, international, anonymous survey measuring changes in well-being (WHO-5) and a composite psychopathology P-score, and their associations with COVID-19 deaths/restrictions, 12 a-priori defined risk individual/cumulative factors, and coping strategies during COVID-19 pandemic (26/04/2020-26/06/2022) in 30 languages (representative, weighted non-representative, adults). T-test, χ2, penalized cubic splines, linear regression, correlation analyses were conducted. Analyzing 121,066/142,364 initiated surveys, WHO-5/P-score worsened intra-pandemic by 11.1±21.1/13.2±17.9 points (effect size d=0.50/0.60) (comparable results in representative/weighted non-probability samples). Persons with …

The Refractive Thinker® Vol. Xxiv Mental Health: Chapter 9: Triage For Mental Health: Faculty’S Role And Assessment, Cheryl Lentz, Dr. Karen Balcanoff, Dr. Cherri Brown

Publications

The public knows about the importance of triage in the hospital emergency setting, but few are aware of this term in institutions of higher learning. Triage is simply matching students with priority order of resources most needed (Merriam Webster, 2023). Faculty can be the first line of defense or first responders in the classroom to provide students the help they need before escalation ensues. The focus of this article was to review the need for additional faculty training to ensure professors are part of students’ “network of care” (Sarraf, 2021). Disruptive student behavior is easy to detect in the classroom …

Study Abroad Angst: A Literature Review On The Mental Health Of International Students During Covid-19, Daisuke Akiba, Michael Perrone, Caterina Almendral

Publications and Research

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic presented unique and unprecedented challenges for international students, those studying at institutions of higher education outside of their home countries, due to their distinct circumstances and vulnerabilities. This literature review examines the multifaceted mental health burdens they experienced and highlights the need for targeted support and interventions. Methods: A rigorous search across three databases (i.e., PubMed, PsycINFO, and ERIC) yielded 50 empirical studies for inclusion in this literature review. A six-phase thematic analysis framework was employed to identify and synthesize key themes. Results: Seven prominent themes emerged: (1) academic and professional disruptions; (2) challenges navigating international …

Evaluating Trauma-Informed Design In A Mental Health Setting: A Community-Based Research Case Study, Marie Spence

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This case study utilized a community-based research framework to explore how the Trauma-Informed Design framework can be implemented in a mental health setting. This study focused on the site of Empower Therapy Practice, a private mental health practice in the Denver Metro Area, to engage clients and staff to participate in advisory boards and inform the interior design of a new office space. To explore the application of Trauma-Informed Design, participants engaged in a variety of research activities, including an evaluative questionnaire, Photovoice, and focus group. Advisory board members identified various aspects of Trauma-Informed Design which meaningfully translate to therapeutic …

Nature Healing Mental Stress: What U.S. Healthcare Can Learn From Other Nations, Shannon Frank-Richter, Lindsay Gietzen

Pacific Journal of Health

The United States healthcare system lags many developed nations in healthcare access and practices, especially surrounding ecotherapy [1]. Ecotherapy is the practice of mindfulness in tandem with intentional immersion among natural spaces or with natural elements. Research from Asia, Europe and Canada indicate immense benefits from ecotherapy, or mindful nature immersion, as an effective treatment for burnout and stress. By adopting regular nature engagement, the U.S. could significantly improve mental health and reduce occupational stress. This literature review examines how nature immersion, especially with mindfulness, positively affects the brain and nervous system. Key components in nature are identified, such as …

The "Ableism'' Behind Mental Health Professionals' Perceptions Of Support, Hideki Muramatsu

Patient Experience Journal

This paper presents the personal narrative of the author, an individual who has experienced personal and clinical recovery from mental health difficulties. Diagnosed with a mental disorder (NEUROTIC; ICD-10) during my university years, I endured cognitive dysfunction, panic disorder, derangement of ego, suicidal ideation, and depression. Despite these challenges, I have actively engaged in social skills training, supervised virtual reality content, led self-help groups, and published papers on my experiences. I will discuss my own experiences as an expert-by-experience and describe the tendencies of professional ableism consciousness that I encountered during my journey of recovery. Through the lens of my …

Reach Out When Help Is Needed, Michelle C. Dziurgot Dds

The Journal of the Michigan Dental Association

This editorial emphasizes the importance of recognizing signs of emotional distress, particularly in the dental field, where long work hours and patient stress can take a toll. It highlights the need for suicide prevention and awareness training, advocating for open communication and mental health support within work families.

The author shares a personal story of losing a colleague and stresses the value of the American Dental Association's Postvention Toolkit. The Michigan Dental Association’s Member Assistance Program is also recommended as a resource for mental health and emotional support.

Healthy Community Healthy Mind: An Evidence-Based Culturally Sensitive Aboriginal Child And Adolescent Mental Health Program, Shane Murphy, Kirra Roberts

Journal of the Australian Indigenous HealthInfoNet

This brief report describes an area of promising practice and a model of care that encapsulates the intersection of non-Indigenous methods and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being, and doing. The Ballarat and District Aboriginal Cooperative (BADAC) Aboriginal Child and Adolescent Mental Health Program provides evidence-based mental health practice integrating the cultural knowledge and lived experience of Aboriginal staff, clients, and families. The program focus is on building trust with community and clients. This paper presents the outcomes from the first year of the program. Data from referral and assessment processes and outcomes for the young people …

Young Children’S Mental Well-Being In Low-Income South African Settings: A Qualitative Study, Catherine E. Draper, Caylee J. Cook, Elizabeth A. Ankrah, Jesus A. Beltran, Franceli L. Cibrian, Jazette Johnson, Kimberley D. Lakes, Hanna Mofid, Lucretia Williams, Gillian R. Hayes

Engineering Faculty Articles and Research

This qualitative study aimed to capture community perspectives of the risks and protective factors for social emotional development and mental health of young children in low-income South Africa settings, and was conducted as one component of a larger study with the ultimate aim of co-designing the Mazi Umntanakho (‘know your child’) digital tool. Twenty focus group discussions (n = 154, 97% female) were held with staff of community-based organisations (CBOs) and community health worker (CHW) programmes in urban and rural sites from four geographical regions. Data were analysed thematically, and grouped according to components of nurturing care (responsive caregiving, safety …

Supporting African Communities To Increase Resilience And Mental Health Of Kids With Developmental Disabilities And Their Caregivers Using The World Health Organization’S Caregiver Skills Training Programme (Spark Trial): Study Protocol For A Cluster Randomised Clinical Controlled Trial, Melissa Nortey, Vibian Angweny, Beatrice Mkubwa, Rosa Hoekstra, Andrew Healey, Rahel Birhane, Nadine Seward, Temesgen Azmeraw, Fikite Girma

Institute for Human Development, East Africa

Background: Most children with developmental disabilities (DD) live in low- and middle-income countries, but access to services is limited, impacting their ability to thrive. Pilot study findings of the World Health Organization’s Caregiver Skills Training (WHO CST) intervention, which equips caregivers with strategies to facilitate learning and adaptive behaviours in children with DD, are promising but evidence from an appropriately powered trial delivered by non-specialist facilitators is lacking. This study will investigate the effectiveness and the resource impacts and costs and consequences of the WHO CST intervention in four sites in rural and urban Kenya and Ethiopia.

Methods: …