WHO Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP) for Improving Child Mental and Behavioral Disorder Service Quality in China

Launched by SUN YAT-SEN UNIVERSITY · Nov 20, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial, called the WHO Mental Health Gap Action Program (mhGAP), is looking to improve the quality of services for children with mental and behavioral disorders in China. The main goal is to see if a special guide, called the adapted mhGAP intervention guide (mhGAP-IG), can help reduce symptoms in children aged 2 to 6 years old and also ease the stress experienced by their caregivers. The trial will involve kindergarten teachers who will receive training and then provide support and services to these children, such as screenings and follow-up care. Researchers will compare the results of the mhGAP-IG approach to the usual child healthcare practices to find out which is more effective.

To participate, children must be between 2 and 6 years old and show signs of mental or behavioral disorders. They should also be living in Zhongshan City for the next year. Caregivers and kindergarten teachers will fill out questionnaires at various points during the trial to track progress. Teachers need to have at least one year of experience working in kindergartens and be willing to receive the training. This study is not yet recruiting participants, but it aims to find out how well this program works and what challenges might come up while implementing it.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• • 1. Eligibility criteria for children/caregivers
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aged 2-6 years;
• • Screened positive by the mhGAP-IG screening tool;
• • Will stay in Zhongshan City for the next one year.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Co-morbid physical or mental conditions requiring inpatient hospitalization;
• • Currently or in the past six months received CMBDs services provided by specialized mental health workers;
• • Deafness or blindness in the child or caregivers;
• • Not available or unwilling to participate in the trial.
• • 2. Eligibility criteria for kindergarten teachers
• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Have one or more years of work experience in the selected kindergartens
• • Be available to participate in the mhGAP training.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Have received the mhGAP training before;
• • Have arrangements requiring long-term leave from work in the next one year;
• • Unwilling to participate in the trial.