Development of Wellness Guide: A Guided Self-Help Indigenous Intervention for Reducing Depression, and Anxiety and Enhancing Wellbeing of Pakistani Youth

Abstract

Mental health concerns are major contributors of disease burden among LMICs’ youth. This burden can be reduced through early or preventive interventions. This study presents steps taken to develop, refine and evaluate an indigenous, targeted, CBT based intervention for reducing depression and anxiety and enhancing wellbeing of Pakistani youth. A user centered approach for collection of data involving four major stages was adopted. This intervention is developed in Urdu and English language using intervention mapping technique. Future treatment endeavors can utilize this intervention for large scale testing, integration into local healthcare systems and for further indigenous interventions development.