Exploring mental health interventions for youth in Southern Africa: A rapid review

Acta Psychol (Amst). 2022 Sep:229:103699. doi: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2022.103699. Epub 2022 Aug 8.

Abstract

A significant mental health treatment gap prevails in Southern Africa. Whilst some treatments exist for adults and school children, treatment options for young adults, at a particularly vulnerable time of life, are scarce. Understanding success mechanisms of existing youth mental health interventions is vital for informed development and scaling of interventions to address this critical gap. This rapid review identifies 27 recent health interventions addressing common youth mental disorders in Southern Africa. Eight studies that quantitatively measured success found significant mental health improvements as an intervention result. Studies that identified success via non-statistical means also found, albeit self-reported, generally favourable outcomes. No single best-practice intervention was identified to replicate throughout the region. Our review instead highlights three important mechanisms for intervention success: including youth in intervention design and delivery; indirectly addressing mental health; and developing multi-modal interventions. We recommend collaborative, ecological approaches to youth mental health interventions in Southern Africa.

Keywords: Adolescents; Interventions; Mental health; Mental health services; Southern Africa; Youth.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Africa, Southern
  • Child
  • Humans
  • Mental Disorders*
  • Mental Health*
  • Self Report
  • Young Adult