# Feasibility, acceptability and initial efficacy of a community-based mental health literacy program delivered by civil society organizations among adults in Kenya: A quasi-experimental study

## TL;DR

A mental health literacy program in Kenya was found to be acceptable, feasible, and effective in improving knowledge and attitudes toward mental health.

## Contribution

The study demonstrates the feasibility and initial efficacy of a community-based mental health literacy program delivered by non-specialists in Kenya.

## Key findings

- The program significantly improved mental health knowledge and attitudes post-intervention.
- All secondary outcomes, including depressive and anxiety symptoms, improved significantly.
- The program was deemed contextually appropriate, acceptable, and feasible for delivery by non-specialists.

## Abstract

Mental health literacy (MHL) strategies are crucial for mental health promotion and prevention. This study aimed to determine the acceptability, feasibility, appropriateness and initial efficacy of an adapted MHL program in a community sample of adults in Kenya. This was a quasi-experimental pre-post study conducted from July 2023 through July 2024. The MHL program contained nine modules delivered over 3 days. Participants were assessed at baseline and immediately after the program. The primary outcomes were mental health knowledge and participants’ attitudes on mental health/illness. Secondary outcomes included depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, self-perceived social support, self-perceived wellbeing, MHL program acceptability, feasibility and appropriateness. Relative to baseline, we observed statistically significant improvement in mental health knowledge and attitude on mental health/illness postintervention. We also observed significant improvements in all secondary outcomes. The MHL program also emerged as contextually appropriate, acceptable and feasible. The adapted MHL program is acceptable and appropriate and can feasibly be delivered by trained non-specialist facilitators. Also, the MHL program has the potential to increase participants’ MHL and attitudes and reduce symptoms of common mental disorders and promote self-perceived wellbeing. Future research should explore how improvements can be sustained over the long term.