Applying Human-Centered Design in Global Mental Health to Improve Reach Among Underserved Populations in the United States and India

Authors: Candace J Black, Jenna M Berent, Udita Joshi, Azaz Khan, Lila Chamlagai, Ritu Shrivastava, Bhuwan Gautam, Abdikadir Negeye, Abdi Nor Iftin, Halimo Ali, Alethea Desrosiers, Anant Bhan, Sunand Bhattacharya, John A Naslund, Theresa S Betancourt

The purpose of this paper was to showcase how two global mental health research teams applied human-centered design (HCD) to develop mobile health tools, each directed at reducing treatment gaps in underserved populations. Case study 1 digitally adapted the delivery of the Family Strengthening Intervention for Refugees, which is aimed to improve mental health and family functioning among resettled families in the USA. Case study 2 focused on applying HCD to the development of a digital training program for CHWs to deliver an evidence-based, brief psychological treatment for depression as part of primary care in Madhya Pradesh, India. The information uncovered by these studies indicates that HCD can be flexibly adapted to engage end users in the conceptualization, implementation, scale-up, and sustainment of global mental health interventions. Community solutions generated using HCD also offer important benefits for key stakeholders, including CHWs.