Accessibility statement

The Sababu intervention study in Sierra Leone 

Researchers: Meredith Fendt-Newlin, Professor Martin Webber (ICMHSR, University of York); Carmen Valle (Enabling Access to Mental Health Sierra Leone); Members from King's Centre for Global Health, King's College London

Duration: 2012 to 2016

Background

It is estimated that around four out of five people experiencing mental distress in low and middle-income countries such as Sierra Leone do not receive any formal support. By providing mental health workers with training to enhance knowledge and skills of mobilising existing social networks, this project uniquely addresses the challenges of resource-limited care.

Aims and objectives

The limited capacity of mental health services in Sierra Leone has been compounded by the effect of the Ebola outbreak. The project aims to promote resiliency and recovery from mental distress using core strategies that foster social participation through interpersonal and communal trust.

This has been addressed through the adaptation of the Connecting People Intervention and creation of a locally developed intervention model and training programme, Sababu, meaning 'connections that may bring benefit', in one of the local languages. A key aspect has been engagement with local stakeholders throughout the research design and implementation, thus enhancing long-term sustainability of its outcomes.

Methods

The study has four components:

  • a systematic review of the translation of social interventions across economic boundaries
  • feasibility study using ethnographic methodology to assess the acceptability of adapting the Connecting People Intervention (CPI) model in Sierra Leone
  • model adaptation and development of a training programme for 20 community-based mental health nurses in district hospitals across the country
  • evaluation of the training at three and six months follow-up.

Funding

Funding has been provided for this study in part by:

  • the International Centre for Mental Health Social Research, University of York
  • Wellcome Trust [ref: 105624] through the Centre for Chronic Diseases and Disorders (C2D2) at the University of York
  • the Maudsley Charity
  • the American Association for University Women
  • the Centre for Learning and Teaching, University of York.

Output