New Directions in Mental Healthcare at the Population Level

Session 3: Adults

Abstract

Recent global crises, including armed conflicts, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic, have led to substantial increases in mental health problems among affected populations. Individuals with refugee or migrant backgrounds are disproportionately exposed to these adversities while often facing significant barriers in accessing evidence-based mental health care. In this presentation, Marit Sijbrandij will review evidence on scalable, low intensity psychological interventions delivered by trained non specialist providers to address symptoms of depression, anxiety, and posttraumatic stress disorder. She will highlight findings from studies conducted in both low- and middle-income countries and high income settings. Finally, she will discuss pathways for implementing these interventions at scale to improve mental health and daily functioning among populations experiencing adversity.

Marit Sijbrandij

Marit Sijbrandij is full professor of Clinical Psychology and Co-Director of the WHO Collaborating Center for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions at Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam. For over two decades, her research has focused on the public health response to trauma and adversity. She has led multiple clinical trials examining psychological interventions, including scalable psychological interventions in crisis-affected populations worldwide. She has led major international projects, including the EU H2020 STRENGTHS consortium on mental health care for Syrian refugees, and the RESPOND project addressing mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic through stepped-care solutions delivered through online platforms.