Alison Schafer
Biographic Data
| ID | 4599068 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Alison Schafer |
| GIVEN NAMES | Alison |
| FAMILY NAME | Schafer |
| SIGNATURE | SCHÄFER A |
| AFFILIATIONS | World Health Organization - Pakistan |
| ORCID | 0000-0003-4869-8607 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 10 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 0 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 10 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2015 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 0 |
Strengthening mental health systems for suicide prevention
Despite suicide being a leading cause of death worldwide, many countries continue to face challenges providing quality care for people at risk.This paper presents learnings from six countries implementing the World Health Organization's (WHO) Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) and its use of the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP).By documenting how mhGAP has influenced suicide prevention efforts, this work offers insights that ma…
An evaluation of non-specialist training and delivery of a brief cognitive-behavioral therapy-based transdiagnostic intervention for adolescents with depression and anxiety in Nairobi, Kenya
Objective: This study evaluated 1) foundational helping competencies for Non-Specialist Providers (NSPs) trained in a transdiagnostic CBT-based intervention (PRO-ACT) for adolescents with anxiety and depression in Nairobi, Kenya and 2) preliminary clinical outcomes for adolescents receiving PRO-ACT.Method: Seventeen NSPs were trained and assessed using role plays at pre-training, post-training, and post-supervision using the Enhancing Assessment …
Comprehensive planning for mental health system reform
The WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health is an ambitious cross-country program currently operating in nine countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Ghana, Jordan, Nepal, Paraguay, Philippines, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. The goal of the program is to promote mental health system reform at the national level, shifting from an institutional care model to community-based care following a person-centered and rights-based approach. An initial planning phase of…
Piloting competency assessments for an evidence-based brief psychological intervention with Arabic-speaking non-specialists in Switzerland
The global challenge of closing the treatment gap highlights the need for innovative interventions. Problem Management Plus (PM+), developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), is an evidence-based brief psychological intervention designed to address this gap by involving non-specialist helpers. In this study, ‘non-specialists’ or ‘helpers’ are individuals without formal training in mental health, who have been trained in and have been delive…
A mixed methods evaluation of a World Health Organization competency-based training package for foundational helping skills among pre-service and in-service health workers in Nepal, Peru and Uganda
Health systems globally demand more competent workers but lack competency-based training programs to reach their goals. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a competency-based curriculum (EQUIP-FHS) for trainers and supervisors to teach foundational helping knowledge, attitudes and skills, guided by the WHO/UNICEF EQUIP platform, to improve the competency of in-service and pre-service workers from various health and other service sectors. A …
Using a person-generated mental health outcome measure in large clinical trials in Kenya and Pakistan
Health care should be informed by the physical, socioeconomic, mental, and emotional well-being of the person, and account for social circumstances and culture. Patient-generated outcome measures can contribute positively to mental health research in culturally diverse populations. In this study, we analysed qualitative responses to the Psychological Outcome Profiles (PSYCHLOPS) Questionnaire—a patient-generated outcome measure based on open-ende…
Exploring links between common mental health problems, alcohol/substance use and perpetration of intimate partner violence
Data confirmed that GBV is a major concern in these Kenya communities and has direct links with alcohol use, which is subsequently linked to mental health and psychosocial problems. Attempting to disrupt progression to the perpetration of violence by men, via mental health care interventions, warrants further research
A qualitative evaluation of a brief multicomponent intervention provided by lay health workers for women affected by adversity in urban Kenya
The findings across diverse stakeholders show that PM+ is largely acceptable in this Kenyan setting. The results indicated that when further implemented, PM+ could be of great value to people in communities exposed to adversities such as interpersonal violence and chronic poverty. Barriers to large-scale implementation were identified, of which the sustainability of the non-specialist health workforce was the most important one
Effectiveness of a brief behavioural intervention on psychological distress among women with a history of gender-based violence in urban Kenya
BACKGROUND: Gender-based violence (GBV) represents a major cause of psychological morbidity worldwide, and particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although there are effective treatments for common mental disorders associated with GBV, they typically require lengthy treatment programs that may limit scaling up in LMICs. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a new 5-session behavioural treatment called Problem Ma…
Problem Management Plus (PM+)
Mental disorders are significant contributors to the global burden of disease (1). While they occur across all levels of socio-economic status, the majority of populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not have access to effective psychological and pharmacological interventions (2). Key barriers to sustainable delivery of psychological therapies in LMICs include limited mental health funding and infrastructure, chronic shortage o…
No prominent works on this page.
Problem Management Plus (PM+)
Mental disorders are significant contributors to the global burden of disease (1). While they occur across all levels of socio-economic status, the majority of populations in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) do not have access to effective psychological and pharmacological interventions (2). Key barriers to sustainable delivery of psychological therapies in LMICs include limited mental health funding and infrastructure, chronic shortage o…
Effectiveness of a brief behavioural intervention on psychological distress among women with a history of gender-based violence in urban Kenya
BACKGROUND: Gender-based violence (GBV) represents a major cause of psychological morbidity worldwide, and particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Although there are effective treatments for common mental disorders associated with GBV, they typically require lengthy treatment programs that may limit scaling up in LMICs. The aim of this study was to test the effectiveness of a new 5-session behavioural treatment called Problem Ma…
Exploring links between common mental health problems, alcohol/substance use and perpetration of intimate partner violence
Data confirmed that GBV is a major concern in these Kenya communities and has direct links with alcohol use, which is subsequently linked to mental health and psychosocial problems. Attempting to disrupt progression to the perpetration of violence by men, via mental health care interventions, warrants further research
A qualitative evaluation of a brief multicomponent intervention provided by lay health workers for women affected by adversity in urban Kenya
The findings across diverse stakeholders show that PM+ is largely acceptable in this Kenyan setting. The results indicated that when further implemented, PM+ could be of great value to people in communities exposed to adversities such as interpersonal violence and chronic poverty. Barriers to large-scale implementation were identified, of which the sustainability of the non-specialist health workforce was the most important one
Using a person-generated mental health outcome measure in large clinical trials in Kenya and Pakistan
Health care should be informed by the physical, socioeconomic, mental, and emotional well-being of the person, and account for social circumstances and culture. Patient-generated outcome measures can contribute positively to mental health research in culturally diverse populations. In this study, we analysed qualitative responses to the Psychological Outcome Profiles (PSYCHLOPS) Questionnaire—a patient-generated outcome measure based on open-ende…
A mixed methods evaluation of a World Health Organization competency-based training package for foundational helping skills among pre-service and in-service health workers in Nepal, Peru and Uganda
Health systems globally demand more competent workers but lack competency-based training programs to reach their goals. This study evaluates the effectiveness of a competency-based curriculum (EQUIP-FHS) for trainers and supervisors to teach foundational helping knowledge, attitudes and skills, guided by the WHO/UNICEF EQUIP platform, to improve the competency of in-service and pre-service workers from various health and other service sectors. A …
Comprehensive planning for mental health system reform
The WHO Special Initiative for Mental Health is an ambitious cross-country program currently operating in nine countries: Argentina, Bangladesh, Ghana, Jordan, Nepal, Paraguay, Philippines, Ukraine and Zimbabwe. The goal of the program is to promote mental health system reform at the national level, shifting from an institutional care model to community-based care following a person-centered and rights-based approach. An initial planning phase of…
Piloting competency assessments for an evidence-based brief psychological intervention with Arabic-speaking non-specialists in Switzerland
The global challenge of closing the treatment gap highlights the need for innovative interventions. Problem Management Plus (PM+), developed by the World Health Organization (WHO), is an evidence-based brief psychological intervention designed to address this gap by involving non-specialist helpers. In this study, ‘non-specialists’ or ‘helpers’ are individuals without formal training in mental health, who have been trained in and have been delive…
Strengthening mental health systems for suicide prevention
Despite suicide being a leading cause of death worldwide, many countries continue to face challenges providing quality care for people at risk.This paper presents learnings from six countries implementing the World Health Organization's (WHO) Special Initiative for Mental Health (SIMH) and its use of the Mental Health Gap Action Programme (mhGAP).By documenting how mhGAP has influenced suicide prevention efforts, this work offers insights that ma…
An evaluation of non-specialist training and delivery of a brief cognitive-behavioral therapy-based transdiagnostic intervention for adolescents with depression and anxiety in Nairobi, Kenya
Objective: This study evaluated 1) foundational helping competencies for Non-Specialist Providers (NSPs) trained in a transdiagnostic CBT-based intervention (PRO-ACT) for adolescents with anxiety and depression in Nairobi, Kenya and 2) preliminary clinical outcomes for adolescents receiving PRO-ACT.Method: Seventeen NSPs were trained and assessed using role plays at pre-training, post-training, and post-supervision using the Enhancing Assessment …
Mental Health Treatment and Access (8 works) · Medicine (7 works) · Mental health (7 works) · Psychology (7 works) · Psychiatry (6 works) · Psychological intervention (4 works) · Qualitative research (4 works) · Child and Adolescent Psychosocial and Emotional Development (3 works) · Clinical Psychology (3 works) · Global Maternal and Child Health (3 works)