Psychological interventions
Psychological interventions (also called psychological treatments or psychological counselling) can be highly effective for many mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety. They can be delivered by trained and supervised non-specialists. These include community workers, volunteers and peers, as well as people with a university degree, but without specialist mental health training.
To increase access to psychological care, WHO has published a number of evidence-based psychological intervention manuals as open access, as well as other supportive resources. These include individual, group and guided self-help approaches. They have been designed to be useful and meaningful for multiple populations affected by different forms of adversity. Such interventions can be integrated into health, protection, community and other settings and used together with other forms of mental health support.
This page provides a link to key WHO resources related to the delivery of psychological interventions.
News
Feature Stories
As part of Thailand’s first-ever National Mind Month hosted by Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on 6 May 2025, the Department of Mental Health, in collaboration with the Thai Health Promotion Foundation, Prasrimahabodhi Psychiatric Hospital, Boromarajonani College of Nursing, and the World Health Organization, officially launched the “Tor-Tuem-Jai” Platform.
A new digital mental health intervention, Step-by-Step, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) with the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) at the Ministry of Public Health Lebanon and other partners, was effective in reducing depression among Syrian refugees in Lebanon, according to a study published in PLOS Medicine.
Individual self-help guides
Implementation manual and foundational resources
Intervention manuals
Training Manuals
Other resources
A joint WHO/UNICEF project to improve the competence of helpers and the consistency and quality of training and service delivery.
Designed for mental health professionals and programme coordinators interested in delivering Self-Help Plus (SH+).