In Tajikistan, women bear a disproportionate burden of common mental disorders (CMD), many of which are undiagnosed and untreated due to a lack of mental health resources. Lifting this burden can be approached through task sharing, which utilizes non-specialists to deliver mental health services.

Join Dr. Weine as we discuss the stepped care model, a sequential, multi-component program where persons with less severe conditions receive lower-intensity treatments, and higher-intensity treatments are reserved for those with more severe conditions or who don’t respond to less intensive care. This study implemented the stepped care model in 12 clinics in Tajikistan compared with 6 control clinics. It demonstrated high engagement and retention and statistically significant improvements in depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Practitioners and women strongly endorsed Stepped Care and are now being scaled up in family medicine clinics for women throughout Tajikistan.

This program is presented in partnership with the International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD).