WHO launches new guide to scale psychological self-help interventions

The World Health Organization (WHO) has launched a new guide to help countries and organizations scale up psychological self-help interventions, aiming to expand access to evidence-based mental health care. Announced on 1 June 2026, the resource offers practical advice on planning, adapting and delivering self-help, with or without support from trained non-specialists, according to a press release. It is titled Psychological self-help interventions: delivering self-help for individuals, featuring Step-by-Step and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress. The publication is designed to help close persistent gaps in mental health care worldwide. It marks a significant addition to WHO’s growing suite of psychological intervention resources.

More than one billion people worldwide live with a mental health condition, yet many lack access to effective care. Psychological self-help interventions offer structured techniques that people can use on their own, supported by minimal human resources. They can be delivered in communities or remotely at scale. Evidence shows self-help approaches are effective, particularly for depression and anxiety. They have already been recommended in WHO guidelines for a range of mental health, brain health and substance use conditions.

Practical guidance for implementation

The guide targets programme managers, implementers, supervisors and frontline helpers across health, humanitarian and community settings. It sets out practical steps for establishing both unguided and guided self-help models. Guided self-help involves delivering the intervention with brief regular support either within existing appointments or from a trained and supervised non-specialist helper. The guide explains how to integrate self-help interventions into existing primary health care, community programmes and digital services. It also includes tools, scripts and templates to support high-quality implementation.

Implementing WHO self-help interventions

The guide provides detailed information on implementing two WHO interventions rigorously tested in randomized controlled trials, delivered with 15 minutes of support over five weeks from a trained and supervised non-specialist helper. These are Step-by-Step, a digital intervention for adults with depression, and Doing What Matters in Times of Stress, a stress management intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy. Digital versions are already embedded in national services in Lebanon and Thailand. This demonstrates how self-help can be delivered safely and effectively at scale. Their ability to reach large numbers of people remotely makes them especially valuable in low-resource and crisis-affected settings.

The new guide adds to WHO’s suite of resources on psychological interventions. It draws on extensive work by WHO and partners with populations in various countries. The publication is expected to support global efforts to expand access to community-based, evidence-based mental health care. By offering structured, scalable approaches, it addresses one of the most significant gaps in global health. WHO’s release reinforces its long-standing commitment to strengthening mental health services worldwide.