Unmet mental health needs continue to be a significant public health challenge in the US and the increase in reported adverse mental health conditions associated with the onset of the Covid-19pandemic have likely exacerbated this problem. We propose a reverse innovation solution todigitize an evidence-based task sharing approach for treating depression in individuals fromunderserved communities, where health inequities are most pronounced due to a shortage ofmental health specialists and lack of access to resources. The digital platform will be designed tohost a suite of tools to support measurement-based peer supervision (MBPS), which includes theability for non-specialist providers (NSPs) to record therapy sessions, rate sessions using avalidated quality scale, and review ratings safely and securely with peers in moderated groupdiscussions. Target end users will be NSPs who are trained on a behavioral activation programwhich has been successfully implemented in India to treat depression. The goal of this Phase Iproject is to demonstrate acceptability and feasibility of the proposed digital solution. We willaddress this goal with two specific aims. In Aim 1, we will work in close collaboration with expertsin MBPS and an advisory group of NSPs to determine design requirements and develop aprototype of the digital solution. In Aim 2, a purposive sample target end users (i.e., NSPs trainedin behavioral activation) will test the prototype developed in Aim 1. We will use mixed methods(interviews, surveys, passive usage data) to probe usability and user experience and identifybarriers and facilitators to implementation. Results from Phase I will inform a potential Phase IIproject to study the digital platform's implementation at scale and its effect on NSP performancewith the long-term goal of improving mental health outcomes, particularly in hard-to-reachcommunities that can benefit the most from NSP-led support.
Public Health Relevance Statement: PROJECT NARRATIVE
There is an urgent demand for mental health services in the US, particularly in communities with
limited access to mental health specialists and resources and increasing incidence of depression.
The goal of this Phase I SBIR project is to design, develop, and assess the feasibility and
acceptability of a scalable digital solution to support and augment the work of non-specialist
providers (NSPs) such as community health workers or peers in recovery from mental health
conditions tasked who are delivering evidence-based brief psychological interventions to
individuals experiencing symptoms of depression. The proposed suite of digital tools will be
expressly designed to promote quality assurance and NSP skill development, while also serving
as a critical support system for NSPs themselves, with the goal of ultimately improving quality of
care and mental health outcomes.
Project Terms:
