Improving mental health treatment for adolescents in Pakistani schools
Official title: School based stepped care TrEatment for adolescent depression in Pakistan- a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART-STEP)
Funded at Shifa Tameer-E-Millat University · NIH-10881908 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working to improve mental health support for teenagers in Pakistan by training teachers and using a helpful chatbot to guide students in managing their feelings, especially if they're dealing with depression or anxiety.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Shifa Tameer-E-Millat University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Islamabad, Pakistan) |
| Project start | September 14, 2022 |
| Project end | June 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $459,308 |
| NIH project number | 5R01MH131025-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-10881908 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are adolescents aged 12-18 years attending public schools in Pakistan who are experiencing symptoms of depression or anxiety.
✕Less likely to help
Patients outside the age range of 12-18 or those not enrolled in public schools in Pakistan may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to enhance mental health support for adolescents in Pakistan by implementing a school-based stepped care treatment program for depression and anxiety. It involves training teachers through an online program and utilizing a self-help chatbot based on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) to assist students in managing their mental health. The project seeks to address the significant prevalence of emotional problems among school-going adolescents in Pakistan, where traditional mental health services are lacking. By integrating these innovative interventions into schools, the research hopes to create a sustainable model for mental health care in low-resource settings.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide accessible mental health support to adolescents, significantly improving their emotional well-being and academic performance.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown success in implementing school-based mental health programs in various countries, indicating the potential effectiveness of this approach in Pakistan.
Where this research is happening
-
Shifa Tameer-E-Millat University
Islamabad, Pakistan Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Hamdani, Syed Usman — Shifa Tameer-E-Millat University
- Study coordinator: Hamdani, Syed Usman
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.