Psychological self-help interventions: delivering self-help for individuals, featuring Step-by-Step and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress: web annex: Step-by-Step: a self-help intervention for depression

Overview

This web annex accompanies the Psychological self-help interventions manual and provides the full content and implementation instructions for Step-by-Step (SbS), an evidence-based psychological self-help intervention for people affected by depression that can be delivered through digital or other formats. It includes detailed session content, exercises and materials that individuals can work through independently or with brief support.

SbS has demonstrated effectiveness in multiple randomized controlled trials in reducing psychological distress across diverse settings, when delivered with brief weekly support from a trained non-specialist helper. The materials feature illustrations and storylines originally developed for research and implementation in Lebanon and can be adapted for different contexts.

The main manual provides broader guidance on planning, implementing and scaling up psychological self-help interventions. Together, these resources support the delivery of accessible, evidence-based mental health care to large populations.