Introduction
The increasing demand for school counseling services is a global phenomenon, and the need is particularly acute in low-resource settings. A recent study titled "Increasing demand for school counselling through a lay counsellor-delivered classroom sensitisation intervention: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial in New Delhi, India" sheds light on effective strategies to enhance mental health support for adolescents. This blog will explore how practitioners can implement the outcomes of this research to improve their skills and encourage further research.
Study Overview
The study conducted a stepped-wedge cluster randomized controlled trial involving 70 classes in six secondary schools in New Delhi. The intervention included a classroom sensitization session delivered by lay counselors, consisting of a brief video presentation and moderated group discussion. The primary outcome was the proportion of students referred to a school counseling program.
Key Findings
- The intervention condition (IC) significantly increased the proportion of students referred to the counseling program compared to the control condition (CC).
- In the IC, 21.7% of students were referred, compared to only 1.5% in the CC (OR=111.36, 95% CI 35.56 to 348.77, p<0.001).
- The proportion of self-referred participants was also higher in the IC (IC=98.1%, CC=89.1%, Pearson χ2 (1)=16.92, p<0.001).
- Although the proportion of referred students meeting mental health caseness criteria was similar in both conditions, the overall number of students referred was substantially higher in the IC.
Implications for Practitioners
The findings from this study offer several actionable insights for practitioners:
- Classroom Sensitization: Implementing a brief, lay counselor-delivered classroom sensitization session can significantly increase the demand for school counseling services. This approach is particularly effective in low-resource settings where mental health literacy is low.
- Self-Referral Mechanisms: Providing students with clear, accessible self-referral mechanisms can empower them to seek help proactively. This is crucial for addressing mental health needs promptly.
- Integration with Existing Services: Integrating sensitization sessions with existing school counseling services ensures a seamless transition from awareness to intervention. This can help in managing the increased demand effectively.
- Fidelity and Training: Ensuring high fidelity in the delivery of sensitization sessions is essential. Training lay counselors adequately can make a significant difference in the outcomes.
Encouraging Further Research
While this study provides robust evidence on the effectiveness of classroom sensitization, further research is needed to explore:
- The long-term sustainability of increased referrals and their impact on student mental health outcomes.
- The effectiveness of similar interventions in different cultural and socio-economic contexts.
- Strategies to engage teachers and other school staff more effectively in the referral process.
- Interventions for students who do not meet clinical thresholds but still require support.
Conclusion
The study underscores the potential of classroom sensitization sessions in increasing the demand for school counseling services. Practitioners can leverage these insights to enhance their interventions and contribute to better mental health outcomes for children. Further research in this area will help refine these strategies and ensure their effectiveness across diverse settings.
To read the original research paper, please follow this link: Increasing demand for school counselling through a lay counsellor-delivered classroom sensitisation intervention: a stepped-wedge cluster randomised controlled trial in New Delhi, India.
